Compositions and methods for inhibiting expression of the alas1 gene

ABSTRACT

The invention relates to double-stranded ribonucleic acid (dsRNA) compositions targeting the ALAS1 gene, and methods of using such dsRNA compositions to alter (e.g., inhibit) expression of ALAS1.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a divisional of U.S. application Ser. No.13/835,613, filed Mar. 15, 2013, now U.S. Pat. No. 9,133,461, issuedSep. 15, 2015, which claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No.61/622,288, filed Apr. 10, 2012. The entire contents of the aforesaidapplications are hereby incorporated in their entirety.

SEQUENCE LISTING

The instant application contains a Sequence Listing which has beensubmitted in ASCII format via EFS-Web and is hereby incorporated byreference in its entirety. Said ASCII copy, created on Mar. 19, 2013, isnamed A2038-719610_SL.txt and is 596,719 bytes in size.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to the specific inhibition of the expression ofthe ALAS1 gene.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The inherited porphyrias are a family of disorders resulting from thedeficient activity of specific enzymes in the heme biosynthetic pathway,also referred to herein as the porphyrin pathway. Deficiency in theenzymes of the porphyrin pathway leads to insufficient heme productionand to an accumulation of porphyrins, which are toxic to tissue in highconcentrations.

Of the inherited porphyrias, acute intermittent porphyria (AIP, e.g.,autosomal dominant AIP), variegate porphyria (VP, e.g., autosomaldominant VP), hereditary coproporphyria (copropophyria or HCP, e.g.,autosomal dominant HCP), and 5′ aminolevulinic acid (also known asδ-aminolevulinic acid or ALA) dehydratase deficiency porphyria (ADP,e.g., autosomal recessive ADP) are classified as acute hepaticporphyrias and are manifested by acute neurological attacks that can belife threatening. The acute attacks are characterized by autonomic,peripheral, and central nervous symptoms, including severe abdominalpain, hypertension, tachycardias, constipation, motor weakness,paralysis, and seizures. If not treated properly, quadriplegia,respiratory impairment, and death may ensue. Various factors, includingcytrochrome P450-inducing drugs, dieting, and hormonoal changes canprecipitate acute attacks by increasing the activity of hepatic5′-aminolevulinic acid synthase 1 (ALAS1), the first and rate-limitingenzyme of the heme biosynthetic pathway. In the acute porphyrias, e.g.,AIP, VP, HCP and ADP, the respective enzyme deficiencies result inhepatic production and accumulation of one or more substances (e.g.,porphyrins and/or porphyrin precursors, e.g., ALA and/or PBG) that canbe neurotoxic and can result in the occurrence of acute attacks. See,e.g., Balwani, M and Desnick, R. J., Blood, 120:4496-4504, 2012.

The current therapy for the actute neuroloigcal attacks in theintravenous administration of hemin (Panhematin®, Lundbeck orNormosang®, Orphan Europe), which provides exogenous heme for thenegative feedback inhibition of ALAS1, and thereby, decreases productionof ALA and PBG. Hemin is used for the treatment during an acute attackand for prevention of attacks, particularly in women with the actueporphyrias who experience frequent attacks with the hormonal changesduring their menstrual cycles. While patients generally respond well,its effect is slow, typically taking two to four days or longer tonormalize urinary ALA and PBG concentrations towards normal levels. Asthe intravenous hemin is rapidly metabolized, three to four infusionsare usually necessary to effectively treat or prevent an acute attack.In addition, repeated infusions may cause iron overload and phlebitis,which may compromise peripheral venous access. Although orthotrophicliver transplantation is curative, this procedure has significantmorbidity and mortality and the availability of liver donors is limited.Therefore, an alternative therapeutic approach that is more effective,fast-acting, and safe is needed. It would be particularly advantageousif such treatment could be delivered by subcutaneous administration, asthis would preclude the need for infusions and prolongedhospitalization.

AIP, also referred to as porphobilinogen deaminase deficiency (PBGD), orhydroxymethylbilane synthase (HMBS) deficiency, is the most common ofthe acute hepatic prophyrias. It is an autosomal dominant disordercaused by mutations in the HMB-synthase (HMBS) gene that result inreduced, e.g., half-normal activity of the enzyme. Previously, a mousemodel of AIP that has ˜30% of wildtype HMBS activity was generated byhomologous recombination Like human patients, these mice increasehepatic ALAS1 activity and accumulate large quantities of plasma andurinary ALA and PBG when administered porphyrinogenic drugs, such asphenobarbital. Thus, they serve as an excellent model to evaluate theefficacy of novel therapeutics for the acute hepatic porphyrias.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention describes methods and iRNA compositions formodulating the expression of an ALAS1 gene. In certain embodiments,expression of an ALAS1 gene is reduced or inhibited using anALAS1-specific iRNA. Such inhibition can be useful in treating disordersrelated to ALAS1 expression, such as porphyrias.

Accordingly, described herein are compositions and methods that effectthe RNA-induced silencing complex (RISC)-mediated cleavage of RNAtranscripts of the ALAS1 gene, such as in a cell or in a subject (e.g.,in a mammal, such as a human subject). Also described are compositionsand methods for treating a disorder related to expression of an ALAS1gene, such as a porphyria, e.g., X-linked sideroblastic anemia (XLSA),ALA deyhdratase deficiency porphyria (Doss porphyria or ADP), acuteintermittent porphyria (AIP), congenital erythropoietic porphyria (CEP),prophyria cutanea tarda (PCT), hereditary coproporphyria(coproporphyria, or HCP), variegate porphyria (VP), erythropoieticprotoporphyria (EPP), or transient erythroporphyria of infancy. In someembodiments, the disorder is an acute hepatic porphyria, e.g., ALAdeyhdratase deficiency porphyria (ADP), AIP, HCP, or VP. In certainembodiments, the disorder is ALA deyhdratase deficiency porphyria (ADP)or AIP.

In embodiments, the porphyria is a hepatic porphyria, e.g., a porphyriaselected from acute intermittent porphyria (AIP) hereditarycoproporphyria (HCP), variegate porphyria (VP), ALA deyhdratasedeficiency porphyria (ADP), and hepatoerythropoietic porphyria. Inembodiments, the porphyria is a homozygous dominant hepatic porphyria(e.g., homozygous dominant AIP, HCP, or VP) or hepatoerythropoieticporphyria, In embodiments, the porphyria is a dual porphyria.

As used herein, the term “iRNA,” “RNAi”, “iRNA agent,” or “RNAi agent”refers to an agent that contains RNA as that term is defined herein, andwhich mediates the targeted cleavage of an RNA transcript, e.g., via anRNA-induced silencing complex (RISC) pathway. In one embodiment, an iRNAas described herein effects inhibition of ALAS1 expression in a cell ormammal.

The iRNAs included in the compositions featured herein encompass a dsRNAhaving an RNA strand (the antisense strand) having a region, e.g., aregion that is 30 nucleotides or less, generally 19-24 nucleotides inlength, that is substantially complementary to at least part of an mRNAtranscript of an ALAS1 gene (e.g., a mouse or human ALAS1 gene) (alsoreferred to herein as an “ALAS1-specific iRNA”). Alternatively, or incombination, iRNAs encompass a dsRNA having an RNA strand (the antisensestrand) having a region that is 30 nucleotides or less, generally 19-24nucleotides in length, that is substantially complementary to at leastpart of an mRNA transcript of an ALAS1 gene (e.g., a human variant 1 or2 of an ALAS1 gene) (also referred to herein as a “ALAS1-specificiRNA”).

In embodiments, the iRNA (e.g, dsRNA) described herein comprises anantisense strand having a region that is substantially complementary toa region of a human ALAS1. In embodiments, the human ALAS1 has thesequence of NM_000688.4 (SEQ ID NO: 1) or NM_000688.5 (SEQ ID NO:382).

In other embodiments, an iRNA encompasses a dsRNA having an RNA strand(the antisense strand) having a region that is substantiallycomplementary to a portion of an ALAS1 mRNA according to any one ofTables 2, 3, 6, 7, 8, 9, 14, or 15. In one embodiment, the iRNAencompasses a dsRNA having an RNA strand (the antisense strand) having aregion that is substantially complementary to a portion of an ALAS1mRNA, e.g., a human ALAS1 mRNA (e.g., a human ALAS1 mRNA as provided inSEQ ID NO:1 or SEQ ID NO:382).

In one embodiment, an iRNA for inhibiting expression of an ALAS1 geneincludes at least two sequences that are complementary to each other.The iRNA includes a sense strand having a first sequence and anantisense strand having a second sequence. The antisense strand includesa nucleotide sequence that is substantially complementary to at leastpart of an mRNA encoding an ALAS1 transcript, and the region ofcomplementarity is 30 nucleotides or less, and at least 15 nucleotidesin length. Generally, the iRNA is 19 to 24 nucleotides in length.

In some embodiments, the iRNA is 19-21 nucleotides in length. In someembodiments, the iRNA is 19-21 nucleotides in length and is in a lipidformulation, e.g. a lipid nanoparticle (LNP) formulation (e.g., an LNP11formulation).

In some embodiments, the iRNA is 21-23 nucleotides in length. In someembodiments, the iRNA is 21-23 nucleotides in length and is in the formof a conjugate, e.g., conjugated to one or more GalNAc derivatives asdescribed herein.

In some embodiments the iRNA is from about 15 to about 25 nucleotides inlength, and in other embodiments the iRNA is from about 25 to about 30nucleotides in length. An iRNA targeting ALAS1, upon contact with a cellexpressing ALAS1, inhibits the expression of an ALAS1 gene by at least10%, at least 20%, at least 25%, at least 30%, at least 35% or at least40% or more, such as when assayed by a method as described herein. Inone embodiment, the iRNA targeting ALAS1 is formulated in a stablenucleic acid lipid particle (SNALP).

In one embodiment, an iRNA (e.g., a dsRNA) featured herein includes afirst sequence of a dsRNA that is selected from the group consisting ofthe sense sequences of Tables 2, 3, 6, 7, 8, 9, 14, and 15 and a secondsequence that is selected from the group consisting of the correspondingantisense sequences of Tables 2, 3, 6, 7, 8, 9, 14 and 15.

In one embodiment, an iRNA (e.g., a dsRNA) featured herein has senseand/or antisense sequences selected from those of AD-58882, AD-58878,AD-58886, AD-58877, AD-59115, AD-58856, AD-59129, AD-59124, AD-58874,AD-59125, AD-59105, AD-59120, AD-59122, AD-59106, AD-59126, and AD-59107as disclosed herein in the Examples. In embodiments, the iRNA (e.g.,dsRNA) has sense and/or antisense sequences selected from those ofAD-58882, AD-58878, AD-58886, AD-58877, AD-59115, AD-58856, andAD-59129.

The iRNA molecules featured herein can include naturally occurringnucleotides or can include at least one modified nucleotide, including,but not limited to a 2′-O-methyl modified nucleotide, a nucleotidehaving a 5′-phosphorothioate group, and a terminal nucleotide linked toa cholesteryl derivative. Alternatively, the modified nucleotide may bechosen from the group of: a 2′-deoxy-2′-fluoro modified nucleotide, a2′-deoxy-modified nucleotide, a locked nucleotide, an abasic nucleotide,2′-amino-modified nucleotide, 2′-alkyl-modified nucleotide, morpholinonucleotide, a phosphoramidate, and a non-natural base comprisingnucleotide. Such a modified sequence can be based, e.g., on a firstsequence of said iRNA selected from the group consisting of the sensesequences of Table 2, and a second sequence selected from the groupconsisting of the corresponding antisense sequences of Table 2.

In one embodiment, an iRNA (e.g., a dsRNA) featured herein comprises asense strand comprising a sequence selected from the group consisting ofSEQ ID NO:330, SEQ ID NO:334, SEQ ID NO:342, SEQ ID NO:344, SEQ IDNO:346, SEQ ID NO:356, SEQ ID NO:358, SEQ ID NO:362, SEQ ID NO:366, SEQID NO:376, and SEQ ID NO:380.

In one embodiment, an iRNA (e.g., a dsRNA) featured herein comprises anantisense strand comprising a sequence selected from the groupconsisting of SEQ ID NO:331, SEQ ID NO:335, SEQ ID NO:343, SEQ IDNO:345, SEQ ID NO:347, SEQ ID NO:357, SEQ ID NO:359, SEQ ID NO:363, SEQID NO:367, SEQ ID NO:377, and SEQ ID NO:381.

In one embodiment, an iRNA (e.g., a dsRNA) featured herein comprises asense strand comprising a sequence selected from the group consisting ofSEQ ID NO: 140, SEQ ID NO: 144, SEQ ID NO:152, SEQ ID NO:154, SEQ IDNO:156, SEQ ID NO:166, SEQ ID NO:168, SEQ ID NO:172, SEQ ID NO:176, SEQID NO:186, and SEQ ID NO:190. In one embodiment, an iRNA (e.g., a dsRNA)featured herein comprises an antisense strand comprising a sequenceselected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO:141, SEQ ID NO: 145, SEQID NO: 153, SEQ ID NO:155, SEQ ID NO:157, SEQ ID NO:167, SEQ ID NO:169,SEQ ID NO:173, SEQ ID NO:177, SEQ ID NO:187, and SEQ ID NO:191.

In one embodiment, an iRNA as described herein targets a wildtype ALAS1RNA transcript variant, and in another embodiment, the iRNA targets amutant transcript (e.g., an ALAS1 RNA carrying an allelic variant). Forexample, an iRNA featured in the invention can target a polymorphicvariant, such as a single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP), of ALAS1. Inanother embodiment, the iRNA targets both a wildtype and a mutant ALAS1transcript. In yet another embodiment, the iRNA targets a particulartranscript variant of ALAS1 (e.g., human ALAS1 variant 1). In yetanother embodiment, the iRNA agent targets multiple transcript variants(e.g., both variant 1 and variant 2 of human ALAS1).

In one embodiment, an iRNA featured in the invention targets anon-coding region of an ALAS1 RNA transcript, such as the 5′ or 3′untranslated region of a transcript.

In some embodiments, an iRNA as described herein is in the form of aconjugate, e.g., a carbohydrate conjugate, which may serve as atargeting moiety and/or ligand, as described herein. In one embodiment,the conjugate is attached to the 3′ end of the sense strand of thedsRNA. In some embodiments, the conjugate is attached via a linker,e.g., via a bivalent or trivalent branched linker.

In some embodiments, the conjugate comprises one or moreN-acetylgalactosamine (GalNAc) derivatives. Such a conjugate is alsoreferred to herein as a GalNAc conjugate. In some embodiments, theconjugate targets the RNAi agent to a particular cell, e.g., a livercell, e.g., a hepatocyte. The GalNAc derivatives can be attached via alinker, e.g., a bivalent or trivalent branched linker. In particularembodiments, the conjugate is

In some embodiments, the RNAi agent is attached to the carbohydrateconjugate via a linker, e.g., a linker as shown in the followingschematic, wherein X is O or S

In some embodiments, X is O. In some embodiments, X is S.

In some embodiments, the RNAi agent is conjugated to L96 as defined inTable 1 and shown below

In an aspect provided herein is a pharmaceutical composition forinhibiting the expression of an ALAS1 gene in an organism, generally ahuman subject. The composition typically includes one or more of theiRNAs described herein and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier ordelivery vehicle. In one embodiment, the composition is used fortreating a porphyria, e.g., AIP.

In one aspect, an iRNA provided herein is a double-stranded ribonucleicacid (dsRNA) for inhibiting expression of ALAS1, wherein said dsRNAcomprises a sense strand and an antisense strand 15-30 base pairs inlength and the antisense strand is complementary to at least contiguousnucleotides of SEQ ID NO: 1 or 382.

In a further aspect, an iRNA provided herein is a double stranded RNAi(dsRNA) comprising a sense strand complementary to an antisense strand,wherein said antisense strand comprises a region of complementarity toan ALAS1 RNA transcript, wherein each strand has about 14 to about 30nucleotides, wherein said double stranded RNAi agent is represented byformula (III):

sense: 5′n _(p)-N_(a)—(XXX)_(i)—N_(b)—YYY—N_(b)—(ZZZ)_(j)—N_(a)-n _(q)3′

antisense:3′n_(p)′-N_(a)′—(X′X′X′)_(k)—N_(b)′—Y′Y′Y′—N_(b)′—(Z′Z′Z′)_(l)—N_(a)′-n_(q)′5′   (III)

wherein:

-   -   i, j, k, and l are each independently 0 or 1;    -   p, p′, q, and q′ are each independently 0-6;    -   each N_(a) and N_(a)′ independently represents an        oligonucleotide sequence comprising 0-25 nucleotides which are        either modified or unmodified or combinations thereof, each        sequence comprising at least two differently modified        nucleotides;    -   each N_(b) and N_(b)′ independently represents an        oligonucleotide sequence comprising 0-10 nucleotides which are        either modified or unmodified or combinations thereof;    -   each n_(p), n_(p)′, n_(q), and n_(q)′ independently represents        an overhang nucleotide;    -   XXX, YYY, ZZZ, X′X′X′, Y′Y′Y′, and Z′Z′Z′ each independently        represent one motif of three identical modifications on three        consecutive nucleotides;    -   modifications on N_(b) differ from the modification on Y and        modifications on N_(b)′ differ from the modification on Y′.

In embodiments, the sense strand is conjugated to at least one ligand.

In embodiments, i is 1; j is 1; or both i and j are 1.

In embodiments, k is 1; l is 1; or both k and 1 are 1.

In embodiments, XXX is complementary to X′X′X′, YYY is complementary toY′Y′Y′, and ZZZ is complementary to Z′Z′Z′.

In embodiments, the Y′Y′Y′ motif occurs at the 11, 12 and 13 positionsof the antisense strand from the 5′-end.

In embodiments, the Y′ is 2′-O-methyl.

In embodiments, the duplex region is 15-30 nucleotide pairs in length.

In embodiments, the duplex region is 17-23 nucleotide pairs in length.

In embodiments, the duplex region is 19-21 nucleotide pairs in length.

In embodiments, the duplex region is 21-23 nucleotide pairs in length.

In embodiments, the modifications on the nucleotides are selected fromthe group consisting of LNA, HNA, CeNA, 2′-methoxyethyl, 2′-O-alkyl,2′-O-allyl, 2′-C— allyl, 2′-fluoro, 2′-deoxy, 2′-hydroxyl, andcombinations thereof.

In embodiments, the modifications on the nucleotides are 2′-O-methyl,2′-fluoro or both.

In embodiments, the ligand comprises a carbohydrate.

In embodiments, the ligand is attached via a linker.

In embodiments, the linker is a bivalent or trivalent branched linker.

In embodiments, the ligand is

In embodiments the ligand and linker are as shown in Formula XXIV:

In embodiments, the ligand is attached to the 3′ end of the sensestrand.

In embodiments, the dsRNA has a nucleotide sequence selected from thegroup of sequences provided in Tables 2 and 3. In embodiments, the dsRNAhas a nucleotide sequence selected from the group of sequences providedin Tables 2, 3, 6, 7, 8 and 9. In embodiments, the dsRNA has anucleotide sequence selected from the group of sequences provided inTables 2, 3, 6, 7, 8, 9, 14, and 15. In embodiments, the dsRNA has anucleotide sequence selected from the group of sequences provided inTables 14 and 15.

In embodiments, dsRNA has a nucleotide sequence selected from the groupof sequences provided in Tables 3 and 8.

In a further aspect, an iRNA provided herein is a double-strandedribonucleic acid (dsRNA) for inhibiting expression of ALAS1, whereinsaid dsRNA comprises a sense strand and an antisense strand, theantisense strand comprising a region of complementarity to an ALAS1 RNAtranscript, which antisense strand comprises at least 15 contiguousnucleotides differing by no more than 3 nucleotides from one of theantisense sequences listed in any one of Tables 2, 3, 6, 7, 8, 9, 14, or15. In some such embodiments, the sense and antisense sequences areselected from those of the duplexes AD-58882, AD-58878, AD-58886,AD-58877, AD-59115, AD-58856, AD-59129, AD-59124, AD-58874, AD-59125,AD-59105, AD-59120, AD-59122, AD-59106, AD-59126, and AD-59107 asdisclosed herein in the Examples. In embodiments, the sense andantisense sequences are selected from those of the duplexes AD-58882,AD-58878, AD-58886, AD-58877, AD-59115, AD-58856, and AD-59129.

In some embodiments, the dsRNA comprises at least one modifiednucleotide.

In some embodiments, at least one of the modified nucleotides is chosenfrom the group consisting of: a 2′-O-methyl modified nucleotide, anucleotide comprising a 5′-phosphorothioate group, and a terminalnucleotide linked to a cholesteryl derivative or dodecanoic acidbisdecylamide group.

In some embodiments, the modified nucleotide is chosen from the groupconsisting of: a 2′-deoxy-2′-fluoro modified nucleotide, a2′-deoxy-modified nucleotide, a locked nucleotide, an abasic nucleotide,2′-amino-modified nucleotide, 2′-alkyl-modified nucleotide, morpholinonucleotide, a phosphoramidate, and a non-natural base comprisingnucleotide.

In some embodiments, the region of complementarity is at least 17nucleotides in length.

In some embodiments, the region of complementarity is between 19 and 21nucleotides in length.

In some embodiments, the region of complementarity is 19 nucleotides inlength.

In some embodiments, each strand is no more than 30 nucleotides inlength.

In some embodiments, at least one strand comprises a 3′ overhang of atleast 1 nucleotide.

In some embodiments, at least one strand comprises a 3′ overhang of atleast 2 nucleotides.

In some embodiments, a dsRNA described herein further comprises aligand.

In some embodiments, the ligand is a GalNAc ligand.

In some embodiments, the ligand targets the dsRNA to hepatocytes.

In some embodiments, the ligand is conjugated to the 3′ end of the sensestrand of the dsRNA.

In some embodiments, the region of complementarity consists of anantisense sequence selected from Table 2 or Table 3. In embodiments, theregion of complementarity consists of an antisense sequence selectedfrom Tables 2, 3, 6, 7, 8, 9, 14, or 15. In some embodiments, the regionof complementarity consists of an antisense sequence selected from thatof AD-58882, AD-58878, AD-58886, AD-58877, AD-59115, AD-58856, AD-59129,AD-59124, AD-58874, AD-59125, AD-59105, AD-59120, AD-59122, AD-59106,AD-59126, or AD-59107 as disclosed herein in the Examples.

In some embodiments, the dsRNA comprises a sense strand consisting of asense strand sequence selected from Table 2 or Table 3, and an antisensestrand consisting of an antisense sequence selected from Table 2 orTable 3.

In some embodiments, the dsRNA comprises a sense strand consisting of asense strand sequence selected from Tables 2, 3, 6, 7, 8, 9, 14, or 15,and an antisense strand consisting of an antisense sequence selectedfrom Tables 2, 3, 6, 7, 8, 9, 14, or 15. In embodiments, the dsRNAcomprises a pair of corresponding sense and antisense sequences selectedfrom those of the duplexes disclosed in Tables 2, 3, 6, 7, 8, 9, 14, and15.

In one aspect, the invention provides a cell containing at least one ofthe iRNAs (e.g., dsRNAs) featured herein. The cell is generally amammalian cell, such as a human cell. In some embodiments, the cell isan erythroid cell. In other embodiments, the cell is a liver cell (e.g.,a hepatocyte).

In an aspect provided herein is a pharmaceutical composition forinhibiting expression of an ALAS1 gene, the composition comprising aniRNA (e.g., a dsRNA) described herein.

In embodiments of the pharmaceutical compositions described herein, theiRNA (e.g., dsRNA) is administered in an unbuffered solution. Inembodiments, the unbuffered solution is saline or water.

In embodiments of the pharmaceutical compositions described herein, theiRNA (e.g., dsRNA is administered with a buffer solution. Inembodiments, the buffer solution comprises acetate, citrate, prolamine,carbonate, or phosphate or any combination thereof. In embodiments, thebuffer solution is phosphate buffered saline (PBS).

In embodiments of the pharmaceutical compositions described herein, theiRNA (e.g., dsRNA) is targeted to hepatocytes.

In embodiments of the pharmaceutical compositions described herein, thecomposition is administered intravenously.

In embodiments of the pharmaceutical compositions described herein, thecomposition is administered subcutaneously.

In embodiments, a pharmaceutical composition comprises an iRNA (e.g., adsRNA) described herein that comprises a ligand (e.g., a GalNAc ligand)that targets the iRNA (e.g., dsRNA) to hepatocytes.

In embodiments, a pharmaceutical composition comprises an iRNA (e.g., adsRNA) described herein that comprises a ligand (e.g., a GalNAc ligand),and the pharmaceutical composition is administered subcutaneously. Inembodiments, the ligand targets the iRNA (e.g., dsRNA) to hepatocytes.

In certain embodiments, a pharmaceutical composition, e.g., acomposition described herein, includes a lipid formulation. In someembodiments, the RNAi agent is in a LNP formulation, e.g., a MC3formulation. In some embodiments, the LNP formulation targets the RNAiagent to a particular cell, e.g., a liver cell, e.g., a hepatocyte. Inembodiments, the lipid formulation is a LNP11 formulation. Inembodiments, the composition is administered intravenously.

In another embodiment, the pharmaceutical composition is formulated foradministration according to a dosage regimen described herein, e.g., notmore than once every four weeks, not more than once every three weeks,not more than once every two weeks, or not more than once every week. Inanother embodiment, the administration of the pharmaceutical compositioncan be maintained for a month or longer, e.g., one, two, three, or sixmonths, or one year or longer.

In another embodiment, a composition containing an iRNA featured in theinvention, e.g., a dsRNA targeting ALAS1, is administered with anon-iRNA therapeutic agent, such as an agent known to treat a porphyria(e.g., AIP), or a symptom of a porphyria (e.g., pain). In anotherembodiment, a composition containing an iRNA featured in the invention,e.g., a dsRNA targeting AIP, is administered along with a non-iRNAtherapeutic regimen, such as hemin or glucose (e.g., glucose infusion(e.g., IV glucose)). For example, an iRNA featured in the invention canbe administered before, after, or concurrent with glucose, dextrose, ora similar treatment that serves to restore energy balance (e.g., totalparenteral nutrition). An iRNA featured in the invention can also beadministered before, after, or concurrent with the administration of aheme product (e.g., hemin, heme arginate, or heme albumin), andoptionally also in combination with a glucose (e.g. IV glucose) or thelike.

Typically, glucose administered for the treatment of a porphyria isadministered intravenously (IV). Administration of glucose intravenouslyis referred to herein as “IV glucose.” However, alternative embodimentsin which glucose is administered by other means are also encompassed.

In one embodiment, an ALAS1 iRNA is administered to a patient, and thenthe non-iRNA agent or therapeutic regimen (e.g., glucose and/or a hemeproduct) is administered to the patient (or vice versa). In anotherembodiment, an ALAS1 iRNA and the non-iRNA therapeutic agent ortherapeutic regimen are administered at the same time.

In an aspect provided herein is a method of inhibiting ALAS1 expressionin a cell, the method comprising: (a) introducing into the cell an iRNA(e.g. a dsRNA) described herein and (b) maintaining the cell of step (a)for a time sufficient to obtain degradation of the mRNA transcript of anALAS1 gene, thereby inhibiting expression of the ALAS1 gene in the cell.

In an aspect provided herein is a method for reducing or inhibiting theexpression of an ALAS1 gene in a cell (e.g., an erythroid cell or aliver cell, such as, e.g., a hepatocyte). The method includes:

-   -   (a) introducing into the cell a double-stranded ribonucleic acid        (dsRNA), wherein the dsRNA includes at least two sequences that        are complementary to each other. The dsRNA has a sense strand        having a first sequence and an antisense strand having a second        sequence; the antisense strand has a region of complementarity        that is substantially complementary to at least a part of an        mRNA encoding ALAS1, and where the region of complementarity is        30 nucleotides or less, i.e., 15-30 nucleotides in length, and        generally 19-24 nucleotides in length, and where the dsRNA upon        contact with a cell expressing ALAS1, inhibits expression of an        ALAS1 gene by at least 10%, e.g., at least 20%, at least 30%, at        least 40% or more; and    -   (b) maintaining the cell of step (a) for a time sufficient to        obtain degradation of the mRNA transcript of the ALAS1 gene,        thereby reducing or inhibiting expression of an ALAS1 gene in        the cell.

In embodiments of the foregoing methods of inhibiting ALAS1 expressionin a cell, the cell is treated ex vivo, in vitro, or in vivo. Inembodiments, the cell is a hepatocyte.

In embodiments, the cell is present in a subject in need of treatment,prevention and/or management of a disorder related to ALAS1 expression.

In embodiments, the disorder is a porphyria. In embodiments, theporphyria is acute intermittent porphyria or ALA-dehydratase deficiencyporphyria.

In embodiments, the porphyria is a hepatic porphyria, e.g., a porphyriaselected from acute intermittent porphyria (AIP) hereditarycoproporphyria (HCP), variegate porphyria (VP), ALA deyhdratasedeficiency porphyria (ADP), and hepatoerythropoietic porphyria. Inembodiments, the porphyria is a homozygous dominant hepatic porphyria(e.g., homozygous dominant AIP, HCP, or VP) or hepatoerythropoieticporphyria, In embodiments, the porphyria is a dual porphyria.

In embodiments, the expression of ALAS1 is inhibited by at least 30%.

In embodiments, the iRNA (e.g., dsRNA) has an IC₅₀ in the range of0.01-1 nM.

In certain embodiments, the cell (e.g., the hepatocyte) is a mammaliancell (e.g., a human, non-human primate, or rodent cell).

In one embodiment, the cell is treated ex vivo, in vitro, or in vivo(e.g., the cell is present in a subject (e.g., a patient in need oftreatment, prevention and/or management of a disorder related to ALAS1expression).

In one embodiment, the subject is a mammal (e.g., a human) at risk, ordiagnosed with a porphyria, e.g., X-linked sideroblastic anemia (XLSA),ALA deyhdratase deficiency porphyria (ADP or Doss porphyria), acuteintermittent porphyria (AIP), congenital erythropoietic porphyria (CEP),prophyria cutanea tarda (PCT), hereditary coproporphyria(coproporphyria, or HCP), variegate porphyria (VP), erythropoieticprotoporphyria (EPP), or transient erythroporphyria of infancy. In someembodiments, the disorder is an acute hepatic porphyria, e.g., ALAdeyhdratase deficiency porphyria (ADP), AIP, HCP, or VP. In specificembodiments, the disorder is ALA deyhdratase deficiency porphyria (ADP)or AIP.

In embodiments, the porphyria is a hepatic porphyria, e.g., a porphyriaselected from acute intermittent porphyria (AIP) hereditarycoproporphyria (HCP), variegate porphyria (VP), ALA deyhdratasedeficiency porphyria (ADP), and hepatoerythropoietic porphyria. Inembodiments, the porphyria is a homozygous dominant hepatic porphyria(e.g., homozygous dominant AIP, HCP, or VP) or hepatoerythropoieticporphyria, In embodiments, the porphyria is a dual porphyria.

In one embodiment, the dsRNA introduced reduces or inhibits expressionof an ALAS1 gene in the cell.

In one embodiment, the dsRNA introduced reduces or inhibits expressionof an ALAS1 gene, or the level of one or more porphyrins or porphyrinprecursors (e.g., δ-aminolevulinic acid (ALA), porphopilinogen (PBG),hydroxymethylbilane (HMB), uroporphyrinogen I or III, coproporphyrinogenI or III, protoporphrinogen IX, and protoporphyrin IX) or porphyrinproducts or metabolites, by at least 5%, 10%, 15%, 20%, 25%, 30%, 35%,40%, 45%, 50% or more compared to a reference, (e.g., an untreated cellor a cell treated with a non-targeting control dsRNA). Without beingbound by theory, ALAS1 is the first enzyme of the porphyrin pathway.Thus, reducing expression of the ALAS1 gene is likely to reduce thelevel of one or more porphyrin precursors, porphyrins or porphyrinproducts or metabolites.

In other aspects, the invention provides methods for treating,preventing or managing pathological processes related to ALAS1expression (e.g., pathological processes involving porphyrins, porphyrinprecuorsors, or defects in the porphyrin pathway, such as, for example,porphyrias). In one embodiment, the method includes administering to asubject, e.g., a patient in need of such treatment, prevention ormanagement, an effective (e.g., a therapeutically or prophylacticallyeffective) amount of one or more of the iRNAs featured herein.

In an aspect provided herein is a method of treating and/or preventing adisorder related to ALAS1 expression comprising administering to asubject in need of such treatment a therapeutically effective amount ofan iRNA (e.g., a dsRNA) described herein, or a composition comprising aniRNA (e.g., a dsRNA) described herein.

In an aspect provided herein is a method of treating and/or preventing aporphyria comprising administering to a subject in need of suchtreatment a double-stranded ribonucleic acid (dsRNA), wherein said dsRNAcomprises a sense strand and an antisense strand 15-30 base pairs inlength and the antisense strand is complementary to at least 15contiguous nucleotides of SEQ ID NO:1 or SEQ ID NO:382.

In one embodiment, subject (e.g., the patient) has a porphyria. Inanother embodiment, the subject (e.g., patient) is at risk fordeveloping a porphyria. In some embodiments, administration of the iRNAtargeting ALAS1 alleviates or relieves the severity of at least onesymptom of a disorder related to ALAS1 in the patient.

In one embodiment, the subject is a mammal (e.g., a human) at risk, orthat has been diagnosed with, a disorder related to ALAS1 expression,e.g., a porphyria, e.g., X-linked sideroblastic anemia (XLSA), ALAdeyhdratase deficiency porphyria (Doss porphyria), acute intermittentporphyria (AIP), congenital erythropoietic porphyria (CEP), prophyriacutanea tarda (PCT), hereditary coproporphyria (coproporphyria, or HCP),variegate porphyria (VP), erythropoietic protoporphyria (EPP), ortransient erythroporphyria of infancy. In a further embodiment, theporphyria is an acute hepatic porphyria, e.g., ALA deyhdratasedeficiency porphyria (ADP), AIP, HCP, or VP. In some such embodiments,the disorder is ALA deyhdratase deficiency porphyria (ADP) or AIP.

In embodiments the subject has, or is at risk for developing, aporphyria. In embodiments, the porphyria is a hepatic porphyria, e.g., aporphyria selected from acute intermittent porphyria (AIP) hereditarycoproporphyria (HCP), variegate porphyria (VP), ALA deyhdratasedeficiency porphyria (ADP), and hepatoerythropoietic porphyria. Inembodiments, the porphyria is a homozygous dominant hepatic porphyria(e.g., homozygous dominant AIP, HCP, or VP) or hepatoerythropoieticporphyria, In embodiments, the porphyria is a dual porphyria.

In embodiments, a porphyria, a symptom of porphyria, a prodrome, or anattack of porphyria is induced by exposure to a precipitating factor, asdescribed herein. In some embodiments, the precipitating factor is achemical exposure. In some embodiments, the precipitating factor is adrug, e.g., a prescription drug or an over the counter drug. In someembodiments, the precipitating factor is the menstrual cycle, e.g., aparticular phase of the menstrual cycle, e.g., the luteal phase.

In embodiments, the iRNA (e.g., dsRNA) or composition comprising theiRNA is administered after an acute attack of porphyria.

In embodiments, the iRNA (e.g., dsRNA) or composition comprising theiRNA is administered during an acute attack of porphyria.

In embodiments, the iRNA (e.g., dsRNA) or composition comprising theiRNA is administered prophylactically to prevent an acute attack ofporphyria.

In embodiments, the iRNA (e.g., dsRNA) is formulated as an LNPformulation.

In embodiments, the iRNA (e.g., dsRNA) is in the form of a GalNAcconjugate.

In embodiments, iRNA (e.g., dsRNA) is administered at a dose of 0.05-50mg/kg.

In embodiments, the iRNA (e.g., dsRNA) is administered at aconcentration of 0.01 mg/kg-5 mg/kg bodyweight of the subject.

In embodiments, the iRNA (e.g., dsRNA) is formulated as an LNPformulation and is administered at a dose of 0.05-5 mg/kg.

In embodiments, the iRNA (e.g., dsRNA) is in the form of a GalNAcconjugate and is administered at a dose of 0.5-50 mg/kg.

In embodiments, the method decreases a level of a porphyrin or aporphyrin precursor in the subject.

In embodiments, the level is decreased by at least 10%, 20%, 30%, 40%,50%, 60%, 70%, 80%, or 90%. In an embodiment, the level is decreased byat least 30%.

In embodiments, the porphyrin precursor is δ-aminolevulinic acid (ALA)or porphopilinogen (PBG).

In embodiments, the iRNA (e.g., dsRNA) has an IC₅₀ in the range of0.01-1 nM.

In embodiments, a method described herein

-   -   (i) ameliorates a symptom associated with an ALAS1 related        disorder (e.g., a porphyria)    -   (ii) inhibits ALAS1 expression in the subject,    -   (iii) decreases a level of a porphyrin precursor (e.g., ALA or        PBG) or a porphyrin in the subject,    -   (iv) decreases frequency of acute attacks of symptoms associated        with a porphyria in the subject, or    -   (v) decreases incidence of acute attacks of symptoms associated        with a porphyria in the subject when the subject is exposed to a        precipitating factor (e.g., the premenstrual phase or the luteal        phase).

In embodiments, the method ameliorates pain and/or progressiveneuropathy.

In embodiments, the iRNA (e.g., dsRNA) or composition comprising theiRNA is administered according to a dosing regimen.

In some embodiments, the iRNA (e.g., dsRNA) or composition comprisingthe iRNA is administered before or during an acute attack of porphyria.In some embodiments, the iRNA is administered before an acute attack ofporphyria.

In some embodiments, the iRNA (e.g., dsRNA) or composition comprisingthe iRNA is administered during a prodrome. In embodiments, the prodromeis characterized by abdominal pain, nausea, psychological symptoms(e.g., anxiety), restlessness and/or insomnia.

In embodiments, the iRNA (e.g., dsRNA) or composition comprising theiRNA is administered during a particular phase of the menstrual cycle,e.g., during the luteal phase.

In embodiments, the method ameliorates or prevents cyclical attacks ofporphyria, e.g., by reducing the severity, duration, or frequency ofattacks. In embodiments, the cyclical attacks are associated with aprecipitating factor. In embodiments, the precipitating factor is themenstrual cycle, e.g., a particular phase of the menstrual cycle, e.g.,the luteal phase.

In embodiments, the subject has an elevated level of ALA and/or PBG. Inembodiments, the subject has or is at risk for developing a porphyria,e.g., a hepatic porphyria. In embodiments, the subject is asymptomatic.In embodiments, the subject carries a genetic alteration (e.g., a genemutation) associated with a porphyria, as described herein.

In embodiments, the subject has or is at risk for developing a porphyriaand suffers from pain (e.g., chronic pain, e.g., chronic neuropathicpain) and/or neuropathy (e.g., progressive neuropathy). In embodiments,the subject does not suffer from acute attacks but suffers from pain(e.g., chronic pain, e.g., chronic neuropathic pain) and/or neuropathy(e.g., progressive neuropathy). In embodiments, the pain is abdominalpain.

In embodiments, the subject (a) has an elevated level of ALA and/or PBGand (b) suffers from pain (e.g., chronic pain, e.g., chronic neuropathicpain) and/or neuropathy (e.g., progressive neuropathy). In embodiments,the pain is abdominal pain.

In embodiments, the subject has a plasma level and/or a urine level ofALA and/or PBG that is elevated. In embodiments, the elevated level ofALA and/or PBG is accompanied by other symptoms, e.g., pain (e.g.,chronic pain, e.g., chronic neuropathic pain) or neuropathy (e.g.,progressive neuropathy). In embodiments, the pain is abdominal pain. Inembodiments, the subject is asymptomatic. In embodiments, the subjecthas a genetic mutation associated with a porphyria, e.g., a mutation asdescribed herein.

In embodiments, the subject has a level (e.g., a plasma level or a urinelevel) of a porphyrin precursor, e.g., ALA and/or PBG, that is elevated,e.g., the level is greater than, or greater than or equal to, areference value. In embodiments, the level is greater than the referencevalue. In embodiments, the reference value is two standard deviationsabove the mean level in a sample of healthy individuals. In embodiments,the reference value is an upper reference limit.

In embodiments, the subject has a plasma level and/or a urine level ofALA and/or PBG that is greater than, or greater than or equal to, 2times, 3 times, 4 times, or 5 times that of an upper reference limit. Asused herein, an “upper reference limit” refers to a level that is theupper limit of the 95% confidence interval for a reference sample, e.g.,a sample of normal (e.g., wild type) or healthy individuals, e.g.,individuals who do not carry a genetic mutation associated with aporphyria and/or individuals who do not suffer from a porphyria. Inembodiments, the subject has a urine level of ALA and/or PBG that isgreater than 2 to 4 times that of an upper reference limit. Inembodiments, the subject has a urine level of ALA and/or PBG that isgreater than 4 times that of an upper reference limit.

In embodiments, the reference value for plasma PBG is 0.12 μmol/L. Inembodiments, the subject is a human and has a plasma PBG level that isgreater than, or greater than or equal to, 0.12 μmol/L, 0.24 μmol/L,0.36 μmol/L, 0.48 μmol/L, or 0.60 μmol/L. In embodiments, the subject isa human and has a plasma level of PBG that is greater than, or greaterthan or equal to, 0.48 μmol/L.

In embodiments, the reference value for urine PBG is 1.2 mmol/molcreatinine. In embodiments, the subject is a human and has a urine PBGlevel that is greater than, or greater than or equal to, 1.2 mmol/molcreatinine, 2.4 mmol/mol creatinine, 3.6 mmol/mol creatinine, 4.8mmol/mol creatinine, or 6.0 mmol/mol creatinine. In embodiments, thesubject is a human and has a urine level of PBG that is greater than, orgreater than or equal to, 4.8 mmol/mol creatinine.

In embodiments, the reference value for plasma ALA is 0.12 μmol/L. Inembodiments, the subject is a human and has a plasma ALA level that isgreater than, or greater than or equal to, 0.12 μmol/L, 0.24 μmol/L,0.36 μmol/L, 0.48 μmol/L, or 0.60 μmol/L. In embodiments, the subject isa human and has a plasma ALA level that is greater than, or greater thanor equal to 0.48 μmol/L.

In embodiments, the reference value for urine ALA is 3.1 mmol/molcreatinine. In embodiments, the subject is a human and has a urine ALAlevel that is greater than, or greater than or equal to, 3.1 mmol/molcreatinine, 6.2 mmol/mol creatinine, 9.3 mmol/mol creatinine, 12.4mmol/mol creatinine, or 15.5 mmol/mol creatinine.

In embodiments, the method decreases an elevated level of ALA and/orPBG. In embodiments, the method decreases pain (e.g., chronic pain, e.g.chronic neuropathic pain) and/or neuropathy (e.g., progressiveneuropathy). In embodiments, the pain is abdominal pain. In embodiments,the pain is neuropathic pain (e.g., pain associated with the progressiveneuropathy of acute porphyrias). The decrease in pain can include, e.g.,prevention of pain, delay in the onset of pain, reduction in thefrequency of pain, and/or reduction in severity of pain.

In embodiments, the method ameliorates or prevents acute attacks ofporphyria, e.g., by reducing the severity, duration, or frequency ofattacks.

In embodiments, the method decreases or prevents nerve damage.

In embodiments, the method prevents deterioration (e.g., preventsdevelopment of abnormalities) of or results in an improvement ofclinical measures, e.g., clinical measures of muscle and/or nervefunction, e.g., EMG and/or nerve conduction velocities.

In embodiments, the method is effective to reduce a level of ALA and/orPBG (e.g., a plasma or urine level of ALA and/or PBG). In embodiments,the method is effective to produce a predetermined reduction in theelevated level of ALA and/or PBG.

In embodiments, the predetermined reduction is a reduction to a valuethat is less than or equal to a reference value. In some embodiments,the reference value is an upper reference limit.

In some embodiments, the reference value is the value that is twostandard deviations above the mean level in a reference sample.

In embodiments, the iRNA (e.g., dsRNA) or composition comprising theiRNA is administered repeatedly, e.g., according to a dosing regimen.

In embodiments, the iRNA (e.g., dsRNA) or composition comprising theiRNA is administered prophylactically to a subject who is at risk fordeveloping a porphyria. In embodiments, the iRNA (e.g., dsRNA) orcomposition comprising the iRNA is administered prophylacticallybeginning at puberty. In embodiments, the subject carries a geneticmutation associated with a porphyria and/or has an elevated level of ALAand/or PBG (e.g., an elevated plasma or urine level of ALA and/or PBG).In embodiments, the mutation makes an individual susceptible to an acuteattack (e.g., upon exposure to a precipitating factor, e.g., a drug,dieting or other precipitating factor, e.g., a precipitating factor asdisclosed herein). In embodiments, the mutation is associated withelevated levels of a porphyrin or a porphyrin precursor (e.g., ALAand/or PBG). In embodiments, the mutation is associated with chronicpain (e.g., chronic neuropathic pain) and/or neuropathy (e.g.,progressive neuropathy).

In embodiments, the mutation is a mutation in the ALAS1 gene. Inembodiments, the mutation is a mutation in the ALAS1 gene promoter, orin regions upstream or downstream from the ALAS1 gene. In embodiments,the mutation is a mutation in transcription factors or other genes thatinteract with ALAS1. In embodiments, the mutation is a mutation in agene that encodes an enzyme in the heme biosynthetic pathway.

In embodiments, the iRNA (e.g., dsRNA) or composition comprising theiRNA is administered subcutaneously. In embodiments, the iRNA is in theform of a GalNAc conjugate.

In embodiments, the iRNA (e.g., the dsRNA) is administered at a dose of0.5-50 mg/kg.

In one aspect provided herein is a method of treating a subject with anelevated level of ALA and/or PBG, the method comprising administering tothe subject a double-stranded ribonucleic acid (dsRNA), wherein saiddsRNA comprises a sense strand and an antisense strand 15-30 base pairsin length and the antisense strand is complementary to at least 15contiguous nucleotides of SEQ ID NO:1 or SEQ ID NO:382.

In one aspect provided herein is a method of treating a subject with anelevated level of ALA and/or PBG, the method comprising administering tothe subject a therapeutically effective amount of an dsRNA or acomposition comprising a dsRNA, as described herein.

In some embodiments, the methods described herein are effective todecrease the level of ALA and/or PBG. In some embodiments, the level ofALA and/or PBG is decreased such that it is less than, or less than orequal to, a reference value, e.g., an upper reference limit. In anotheraspect, the invention provides methods for decreasing a level of aporphyrin or a porphyrin precursor in a cell (e.g., an erythroid cell ora liver cell, such as, e.g., a hepatocyte). In one embodiment, the cellis treated ex vivo, in vitro, or in vivo (e.g., the cell is present in asubject (e.g., a patient in need of treatment, prevention and/ormanagement of a disorder related to ALAS1 expression). The methodincludes contacting the cell with an effective amount of one or more ofthe iRNAs targeting ALAS1, e.g., one or more of the iRNAs disclosedherein, thereby decreasing the level of a porphyrin or a porphyrinprecursor in the cell; or decreasing the level of a porphyrin or aporphyrin precursor in other cells, tissues, or fluids within a subjectin which the cell is located; relative to the level prior to contacting.Such methods can be used to treat (e.g., ameliorate the severity) ofdisorders related to ALAS1 expression, such as porphyrias, e.g., AIP orALA dehydratase deficiency porphyria.

In one embodiment, the contacting step is effected ex vivo, in vitro, orin vivo. For example, the cell can be present in a subject, e.g., amammal (e.g., a human) at risk, or that has been diagnosed with, aporphyria. In an embodiment, the porphyria is an acute hepaticporphyria. In embodiments, the porphyria is a hepatic porphyria, e.g., aporphyria selected from acute intermittent porphyria (AIP), hereditarycoproporphyria (HCP), variegate porphyria (VP), ALA deyhdratasedeficiency porphyria (ADP), and hepatoerythropoietic porphyria. Inembodiments, the porphyria is a homozygous dominant hepatic porphyria(e.g., homozygous dominant AIP, HCP, or VP) or hepatoerythropoieticporphyria, In embodiments, the porphyria is a dual porphyria.

In an aspect provided herein is a method for decreasing a level of aporphyrin or a porphyrin precursor (e.g., ALA or PBG) in a cell,comprising contacting the cell with an iRNA (e.g. a dsRNA), as describedherein, in an amount effective to decrease the level of the porphyrin orthe porphyrin precursor in the cell. In embodiments, the cell is ahepatocyte. In embodiments, the porphyrin or porphyrin precursor isδ-aminolevulinic acid (ALA), porphopilinogen (PBG), hydroxymethylbilane(HMB), uroporphyrinogen I or III, coproporphyrinogen I or III,protoporphrinogen IX, or protoporphyrin IX. In embodiments, theporphyrin precursor is ALA or PBG.

In one embodiment, the cell is an erythroid cell. In a furtherembodiment, the cell is a liver cell (e.g., a hepatocyte).

In an aspect provided herein is a vector encoding at least one strand ofan iRNA (e.g., a dsRNA) as described herein.

In an aspect provided herein is a vector encoding at least one strand ofa dsRNA, wherein said dsRNA comprises a region of complementarity to atleast a part of an mRNA encoding ALAS1, wherein said dsRNA is 30 basepairs or less in length, and wherein said dsRNA targets said mRNA forcleavage.

In embodiments, the region of complementarity is at least 15 nucleotidesin length.

In embodiments, the region of complementarity is 19 to 21 nucleotides inlength. In one aspect, the invention provides a vector for inhibitingthe expression of an ALAS1 gene in a cell. In one embodiment, the vectorcomprises an iRNA as described herein. In one embodiment, the vectorincludes at least one regulatory sequence operably linked to anucleotide sequence that encodes at least one strand of an iRNA asdescribed herein. In one embodiment the vector comprises at least onestrand of an ALAS1 iRNA.

In an aspect provided herein is a cell comprising a vector as describedherein. In an aspect provided herein is a cell containing a vector forinhibiting the expression of an ALAS1 gene in a cell. The vectorincludes a regulatory sequence operably linked to a nucleotide sequencethat encodes at least one strand of one of the iRNAs as describedherein. In one embodiment, the cell is a liver cell (e.g., ahepatocyte). In another embodiment, the cell is an erythroid cell.

All publications, patent applications, patents, and other referencesmentioned herein are incorporated by reference in their entirety.

The details of various embodiments of the invention are set forth in thedescription below. Other features, objects, and advantages of theinvention will be apparent from the description and the drawings, andfrom the claims.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 depicts the heme biosynthetic pathway.

FIG. 2A is a table that summarizes certain porphyrias associated withgenetic errors in heme metabolism.

FIG. 2B is a continuation of the table in FIG. 2A.

FIG. 3A depicts nucleotides 1-2280 of the sequence of a human ALAS1 mRNAsequence transcript variant 1 (Ref. Seq. NM_000688.4 (GI:40316942,record dated Nov. 19, 2011), SEQ ID NO: 1).

FIG. 3B depicts nucleotides 2281-2407 of the sequence of a human ALAS1mRNA sequence transcript variant 1 (Ref. Seq. NM_000688.4 (GI:40316942,record dated Nov. 19, 2011), SEQ ID NO: 1).

FIG. 4A depicts nucleotides 1-2280 of the sequence of a human ALAS1 mRNAsequence transcript variant 2 (Ref. Seq. NM_000688.5 (GI: 362999011,record dated Apr. 1, 2012), SEQ ID NO: 382).

FIG. 4B depicts nucleotides 2281-2458 of the sequence of a human ALAS1mRNA sequence transcript variant 2 (Ref. Seq. NM_000688.5 (GI:362999011, record dated Apr. 1, 2012), SEQ ID NO: 382).

FIG. 5 shows the dose-response of the siRNA AD-53558 in suppressingmouse ALAS1 (mALAS1) mRNA relative to a PBS control. Results for aluciferase (LUC) AD-1955 control are also shown.

FIG. 6 shows the dose-response of the siRNA AD-53558 in suppressingALAS1 mRNA in rats relative to a PBS control. Results for a luciferase(LUC) AD-1955 control are also shown.

FIG. 7 shows the durability of suppression of mouse ALAS1 (mALAS1) mRNAby the siRNA AD-53558 relative to a PBS control.

FIG. 8 shows means±standard deviations of plasma ALA levels (in μM) atbaseline, and after phenobarbitol treatment in the experimental (ALAS1siRNA) and control (LUC siRNA) groups.

FIG. 9 shows the plasma ALA levels (in μM) of individual animals atbaseline, and after phenobarbitol treatment in animals that receivedALAS1 siRNA and control (LUC siRNA) treatment.

FIG. 10 shows means±standard deviations of plasma PBG levels (in μM) atbaseline, and after phenobarbitol treatment in animals that receivedALAS1 siRNA and control (LUC siRNA) treatment.

FIG. 11 shows the plasma PBG levels (in μM) of individual animals atbaseline, and after phenobarbitol treatment in animals that receivedALAS1 siRNA and control (LUC siRNA) treatment.

FIG. 12 shows the relative mALAS1mRNA level in liver at baseline, andafter phenobarbitol treatment in select representative experimental(ALAS1 siRNA) and control (PBS) animals.

FIG. 13 shows the effects of three GalNAc conjugated mALAS1 siRNAs onmALAS1 expression (relative to a PBS control) in mouse liver tissue.

FIG. 14 shows plasma ALA and PBG levels over time after phenobarbitoladministration and treatment with ALAS1 siRNA or control LUC siRNA.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

iRNA directs the sequence-specific degradation of mRNA through a processknown as RNA interference (RNAi). Described herein are iRNAs and methodsof using them for inhibiting the expression of an ALAS1 gene in a cellor a mammal where the iRNA targets an ALAS1 gene. Also provided arecompositions and methods for disorders related to ALAS1 expression, suchas porphyrias (e.g., ALA deyhdratase deficiency porphyria (ADP or Dossporphyria), acute intermittent porphyria, congenital erythropoieticporphyria, prophyria cutanea tarda, hereditary coproporphyria(coproporphyria), variegate porphyria, erythropoietic protoporphyria(EPP), X-linked sideroblastic anemia (XLSA), and transienterythroporphyria of infancy).

Porphyrias are inherited or acquired disorders that can be caused bydecreased or enhanced activity of specific enzymes in the hemebiosynthetic pathway, also referred to herein as the porphyrin pathway(See FIG. 1). Porphyrins are the main precursors of heme. Porphyrins andporphyrin precursors include δ-aminolevulinic acid (ALA),porphopilinogen (PBG), hydroxymethylbilane (HMB), uroporphyrinogen I orIII, coproporphyrinogen I or III, protoporphrinogen IX, andprotoporphyrin IX. Heme is an essential part of hemoglobin, myoglobin,catalases, peroxidases, and cytochromes, the latter including therespiratory and P450 liver cytochromes. Heme is synthesized in most orall human cells. About 85% of heme is made in erythroid cells, primarilyfor hemoglobin. Most of the remaining heme is made in the liver, 80% ofwhich is used for the synthesis of cytochromes. Deficiency of specificenzymes in the porphyrin pathway leads to insufficient heme productionand also to an accumulation of porphyrin precursors and/or porphyrins,which can be toxic to cell or organ function in high concentrations.

Porphyrias may manifest with neurological complications (“acute”), skinproblems (“cutaneous”) or both. Porphyrias may be classified by theprimary site of the overproduction and accumulation of porphyrins ortheir precursors. In hepatic porphyrias, porphyrins and porphyrinprecursors are overproduced predominantly in the liver, whereas inerythropoietic porphyrias, porphyrins are overproduced in the erythroidcells in the bone. The acute or hepatic porphyrias lead to dysfunctionof the nervous system and neurologic manifestations that can affect boththe central and peripheral nervous system, resulting in symptoms suchas, for example, pain (e.g., abdominal pain and/or chronic neuropathicpain), vomiting, neuropathy (e.g., acute neuropathy progressiveneuropathy), muscle weakness, seizures, mental disturbances (e.g.,hallucinations, depression anxiety, paranoia), cardiac arrhythmias,tachycardia, constipation, and diarrhea. The cutaneous or erythropoieticporphyrias primarily affect the skin, causing symptoms such asphotosensitivity that can be painful, blisters, necrosis, itching,swelling, and increased hair growth on areas such as the forehead.Subsequent infection of skin lesions can lead to bone and tissue loss,as well as scarring, disfigurement, and loss of digits (e.g., fingers,toes). Most porphyrias are caused by mutations that encode enzymes inthe heme biosynthetic pathway. A summary of porphyrias associated withgenetic errors in heme metabolism is provided in FIG. 2.

Not all porphyrias are genetic. For example, patients with liver diseasemay develop porphyria as a result of liver dysfunction, and a transientform of erythroporphria (transient erythroporphyria of infancy) has beendescribed in infancy (see Crawford, R. I. et al, J Am Acad Dermatol.1995 August; 33(2 Pt 2):333-6.) Patients with PCT can acquire thedeficient activity of uroporphyrinogen decarboxylase (URO-D), due to theformation of a ORO-D enzyme with lower than normal enzymatic activity(see Phillips et al. Blood, 98:3179-3185, 2001.)

Acute intermittent porphyria (AIP) (also be referred to asporphobilinogen (PBG) deaminase deficiency, or hydroxymethylbilanesynthase (HMBS) deficiency), is the most common type of acute hepaticporphyria. Other types of acute hepatic porphyrias include hereditarycoproporphyria (HCP), variegate porphyria (VP), and ALA deyhdratasedeficiency porphyria (ADP). Acute hepatic porphyrias are described,e.g., in Balwani, M and Desnick, R. J., Blood, 120:4496-4504, 2012.

AIP is typically an autosomal dominant disease that is characterized bya deficiency of the enzyme porphobilinogen deaminase (PBG deaminase);this enzyme is also known as hydroxymethylbilane synthase (HMB synthaseor HMBS). PBG deaminase is the third enzyme of the heme biosyntheticpathway (see FIG. 1) and catalyzes the head to tail condensation of fourporphobilinogen molecules into the linear tetrapyrrole,hydroxymethylbilane (HMB). Alternatively spliced transcript variantsencoding different isoforms of PBG deaminase have been described.Mutations in the PBG deaminase gene are associated with AIP. Suchmutations may lead to decreased amounts of PBG deaminase and/ordecreased activity of PBG deaminase (affected individuals typically havea ˜50% reduction in PBG deaminase activity).

There are at least two different models of the pathophysiology of AIPand other acute hepatic porphyrias (see, e.g., Lin C S-Y et al.,Clinical Neurophysiology, 2011; 122:2336-44). According to one model,the decreased heme production resulting from PBG deaminase deficiencycauses energy failure and axonal degeneration. According to the other,currently more favored model, the buildup of porphyrin precursors (e.g.,ALA and PBG) results in neurotoxicity.

AIP has been found to have a prevalence as high as 1 in 10,000 incertain populations (e.g., in Northern Sweden; see Floderus Y, et al.Clin Genet. 2002; 62:288-97). The prevalence in the general populationin United States and Europe, excluding the U.K., is estimated to beabout 1 in 10,000 to 1 in 20,000. Clinical disease manifests itself inonly approximately 10-15% of individuals who carry mutations that areknown to be associated with AIP. However, the penetrance is as high as40% in individuals with certain mutations (e.g., the W198X mutation).AIP is typically latent prior to puberty. Symptoms are more common infemales than in males. The prevalence of the disease is probablyunderestimated due to its incomplete penetrance and long periods oflatency. In the United States, it is estimated that there are about 2000patients who have suffered at least one attack. It is estimated thatthere are about 150 active recurrent cases in France, Sweden, the U.K.,and Poland; these patients are predominantly young women, with a medianage of 30. See, e.g., Elder et al, J Inherit Metab Dis., publishedonline Nov. 1, 2012.

AIP affects, for example, the visceral, peripheral, autonomic, andcentral nervous systems. Symptoms of AIP are variable and includegastrointestinal symptoms (e.g., severe and poorly localized abdominalpain, nausea/vomiting, constipation, diarrhea, ileus), urinary symptoms(dysuria, urinary retention/incontinence, or dark urine), neurologicsymptoms (e.g., sensory neuropathy, motor neuropathy (e.g., affectingthe cranial nerves and/or leading to weakness in the arms or legs),seizures, neuropathic pain (e.g., pain associated with progressiveneuropathy, e.g., chronic neuropathic pain), neuropsychiatric symptoms(e.g., mental confusion, anxiety, agitation, hallucination, hysteria,delirium, apathy, depression, phobias, psychosis, insomnia, somnolence,coma), autonomic nervous system involvement (resulting e.g., incardiovascular symptoms such as tachycardia, hypertension, and/orarrhythmias, as well as other symptoms, such as, e.g., increasedcirculating catecholamine levels, sweating, restlessness, and/ortremor), dehydration, and electrolyte abnormalities. The most commonsymptoms are abdominal pain and tachycardia. In addition, patientsfrequently have chronic neuropathic pain and develop a progressiveneuropathy. Patients with recurring attacks often have a prodrome.Permanent paralysis may occur after a severe attack. Recovery fromsevere attacks that are not promptly treated may take weeks or months.An acute attack may be fatal, for example, due to paralysis ofrespiratory muscles or cardiovascular failure from electrolyteimbalance. (See, e.g., Thunell S. Hydroxymethylbilane SynthaseDeficiency. 2005 Sep. 27 [Updated 2011 Sep. 1]. In: Pagon R A, Bird T D,Dolan C R, et al., editors. GeneReviews™ [Internet]. Seattle (Wash.):University of Washington, Seattle; 1993— (hereinafter Thunell (1993)),which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.) Prior to theavailability of Hemin treatments, up to 20% of patients with AIP diedfrom the disease.

In individuals who carry genes for AIP, the risk of hepatocellularcancer is increased. In those with recurrent attacks, the risk ofhepatocellular cancer is particularly grave: after the age of 50, therisk is nearly 100-fold greater than in the general population.

Attacks of acute porphyria may be precipitated by endogenous orexogenous factors. The mechanisms by which such factors induce attacksmay include, for example, increased demand for hepatic P450 enzymesand/or induction of ALAS1 activity in the liver. Increased demand forhepatic P450 enzymes results in decreased hepatic free heme, therebyinducing the synthesis of hepatic ALAS1.

Precipitating factors include fasting (or other forms of reduced orinadequate caloric intake, due to crash diets, long-distance athletics,etc.), metabolic stresses (e.g., infections, surgery, international airtravel, and psychological stress), endogenous hormones (e.g.,progesterone), cigarette smoking, lipid-soluble foreign chemicals(including, e.g., chemicals present in tobacco smoke, certainprescription drugs, organic solvents, biocides, components in alcoholicbeverages), endocrine factors (e.g., reproductive hormones (women mayexperience exacerbations during the premenstrual period), syntheticestrogens, progesterones, ovulation stimulants, and hormone replacementtherapy). See, for example, Thunell (1993).

Over 1000 drugs are contraindicated in the acute hepatic porphyrias(e.g., AIP, HCP, ADP, and VP) including, for example, alcohol,barbiturates, Carbamazepine, Carisoprodol, Clonazepam (high doses),Danazol, Diclofenac and possibly other NSAIDS, Ergots, estrogens,Ethyclorvynol, Glutethimide, Griseofulvin, Mephenytoin, Meprobamate(also mebutamate and tybutamate), Methyprylon, Metodopramide, Phenytoin,Primidone, progesterone and synthetic progestins, Pyrazinamide,Pyrazolones (aminopyrine and antipyrine), Rifampin, Succinimides(ethosuximide and methsuximide), sulfonamide antibiotics, and Valproicacid.

Objective signs of AIP include discoloration of the urine during anacute attack (the urine may appear red or red-brown), and increasedconcentrations of PBG and ALA in urine during an acute attack. Moleculargenetic testing identifies mutations in the PBG deaminase (also known asHMBS) gene in more than 98% of affected individuals. Thunell (1993).

The differential diagnosis of porphyrias may involve determining thetype of porphyria by measuring individual levels of porphyrins orporphyrin precursors (e.g., ALA, PBG) in the urine, feces, and/or plasma(e.g., by chromatography and fluorometry) during an attack. Thediagnosis of AIP can be confirmed by establishing that erythrocyte PBGdeaminase activity is at 50% or less of the normal level. DNA testingfor mutations may be carried out in patients and at-risk family members.The diagnosis of AIP is typically confirmed by DNA testing to identify aspecific causative gene mutation (e.g., an HMBS mutation).

Treatment of acute attacks typically requires hospitalization to controland treat acute symptoms, including, e.g., abdominal pain, seizures,dehydration/hyponatremia, nausea/vomiting, tachycardia/hypertension,urinary retention/ileus. For example, abdominal pain may be treated,e.g., with narcotic analgesics, seizures may be treated with seizureprecautions and possibly medications (although many anti-seizuremedications are contraindicated), nausea/vomiting may be treated, e.g.,with phenothiazines, and tachycardia/hypertension may be treated, e.g.,with beta blockers. Treatment may include withdrawal of unsafemedications, monitoring of respiratory function, as well as musclestrength and neurological status. Mild attacks (e.g., those with noparesis or hyponatremia) may be treated with at least 300 g intravenous10% glucose per day, although increasingly hemin is providedimmediately. Severe attacks should be treated as soon as possible withintravenous hemin (3-4 mg/kg daily for 4-14 days) and with IV glucosewhile waiting for the IV hemin to take effect. Typically, attacks aretreated with IV hemin for 4 days and with IV glucose while waiting foradministration of the IV hemin.

Hemin (Panhematin® or hemin for injection, previously known as hematin)is the only heme product approved for use in the United States and wasthe first drug approved under the Orphan Drug Act. Panhematin® is heminderived from processed red blood cells (PRBCs), and is Protoporphyrin IXcontaining a ferric iron ion (Heme B) with a chloride ligand. Heme actsto limit the hepatic and/or marrow synthesis of porphyrin. The exactmechanism by which hemin produces symptomatic improvement in patientswith acute episodes of the hepatic porphyrias has not been elucidated;however, its action is likely due to the (feedback) inhibition ofδ-aminolevulinic acid (ALA) synthase, the enzyme which limits the rateof the porphyrin/heme biosynthetic pathway. See Panhematin® productlabel, Lundbeck, Inc., October 2010. Inhibition of ALA synthase shouldresult in reduced production of ALA and PBG as well as porphyrins andporphyrin intermediates.

Drawbacks of hemin include its delayed impact on clinical symptoms andits failure to prevent the recurrence of attacks. Adverse reactionsassociated with hemin administration may include thrombophlebitis,anticoagulation, thrombocytopenia, renal shut down, or iron overload,which is particularly likely in patients requiring multiple courses ofhemin treatment for recurrent attacks. To prevent phlebitis, anindwelling venous catheter is needed for access in patients withrecurrent attacks. Uncommonly reported side effects include fever,aching, malaise, hemolysis, anaphalaxis, and circulatory collapse. SeeAnderson, K. E., Approaches to Treatment and Prevention of HumanPorphyrias, in The Porphyrin Handbook: Medical Aspects of Porphyrins,Edited by Karl M. Kadish, Kevin M. Smith, Roger Guilard (2003)(hereinafter Anderson).

Heme is difficult to prepare in a stable form for intravenousadministration. It is insoluble at neutral pH but can be prepared asheme hydroxide at pH 8 or higher. Anderson. Panhematin is a lyophilizedhemin preparation. When lyophilized hemin is solubilized for intravenousadministration, degradation products form rapidly; these degradationproducts are responsible for a transient anticoagulant effect and forphlebitis at the site of infusion. Anderson. Heme albumin and hemearginate (Normosang, the European version of hemin) are more stable andmay potentially cause less thrombophlebitis. However, heme arginate isnot approved for use in the United States. Panhemin may be stabilized bysolubilizing it for infusion in 30% human albumin rather than in sterilewater; however, albumin adds intravascular volume-expanding effects andincreases the cost of treatment as well as risk of pathogens since it isisolated from human blood. See, e.g., Anderson.

The successful treatment of an acute attack does not prevent or delayrecurrence. There is a question of whether hemin itself can triggerrecurring attacks due to induction of heme oxygenase. Nonetheless, insome areas (especially France), young women with multiply recurrentattacks are being treated with weekly hemin with the goal of achievingprophylaxis.

Limited experience with liver transplantation suggests that ifsuccessful, it is an effective treatment for AIP. There have beenapproximately 12 transplants in Europe in human patients, with curativeor varying effects. Liver transplantation can restore normal excretionof ALA and PBG and prevent acute attacks. See, e.g., Dar, F. S. et al.Hepatobiliary Pancreat. Dis. Int., 9(1):93-96 (2010). Furthermore, ifthe liver of a patient with AIP is transplanted into another patient(“domino transplant”), the patient receiving the transplant may developAIP.

Among the long-term clinical effects of acute porphyrias is chronicneuropathic pain that may result from a progressive neuropathy due toneurotoxic effects, e.g., of elevated porphyrin precursors (e.g., ALAand/or PBG). Patients may suffer from neuropathic pain prior to orduring an acute attack. Older patients may experience increasedneuropathic pain with age for which various narcotic drugs are typicallyprescribed. Electromyogram abnormalities and decreased conduction timeshave been documented in patients with acute hepatic porphyrias. Of note,untreated, uninduced mice with AIP (PBG deaminase deficiency) develop aprogressive motor neuropathy that has been shown to cause progressivequadriceps nerve axon degeneration and loss presumably due toconstitutively elevated porphyrin precursor (ALA & PBG) levels,porphyrins and/or heme deficiency (Lindberg et al., J. Clin. Invest.,103(8): 1127-1134, 1999). In patients with acute porphyria (e.g., ADP,AIP, HCP, or VP), levels of porphyrin precursors (ALA & PBG) are oftenelevated in asymptomatic patients and in symptomatic patients betweenattacks. Thus, reduction of the porphyrin precursors and resumption ofnormal heme biosynthesis by reducing the level of ALAS1 expressionand/or activity is expected to prevent and/or minimize development ofchronic and progressive neuropathy. Treatment, e.g., chronic treatment(e.g., periodic treatment with iRNA as described herein, e.g., treatmentaccording to a dosing regimen as described herein, e.g., weekly orbiweekly treatment) can continuously reduce the ALAS1 expression inacute porphyria patients who have elevated levels of porphyrinprecursors, porphyrins, porphyrin products or their metabolites. Suchtreatment may be provided as needed to prevent or reduce the frequencyor severity of an individual patient's symptoms (e.g., pain and/orneuropathy) and/or to reduce a level of a porphyrin precursor,porphyrin, porphyrin product or metabolite.

The need exists for identifying novel therapeutics that can be used forthe treatment of porphyrias. As discussed above, existing treatmentssuch as hemin have numerous drawbacks. For example, the impact of heminon clinical symptoms is delayed, it is expensive, and it may have sideeffects (e.g., thrombophlebitis, anticoagulation, thrombocytopenia, ironoverload, renal shutdown). Novel therapeutics such as those describedherein can address these drawbacks and the unmet needs of patients by,for example, acting faster, not inducing phlebitis, providing theconvenience of subcutaneous administration, successfully preventingrecurrent attacks, preventing or ameliorating pain (e.g., chronicneuropathic pain) and/or progressive neuropathy, and/or not causingcertain adverse effects associated with hemin (e.g., iron overload,increased risk of hepatocellular cancer).

The present disclosure provides methods and iRNA compositions formodulating the expression of an ALAS1 gene. In certain embodiments,expression of ALAS1 is reduced or inhibited using an ALAS1-specificiRNA, thereby leading to a decreased expression of an ALAS1 gene.Reduced expression of an ALAS1 gene may reduce the level of one or moreporphyrin precursors, porphyrins, or porphyrin products or metabolites.Decreased expression of an ALAS1 gene, as well as related decreases inthe level of one or more porphyrin precursors and/or porphyrins, can beuseful in treating disorders related to ALAS1 expression, e.g.,porphyrias.

The iRNAs of the compositions featured herein include an RNA strand (theantisense strand) having a region which is 30 nucleotides or less inlength, i.e., 15-30 nucleotides in length, generally 19-24 nucleotidesin length, which region is substantially complementary to at least partof an mRNA transcript of an ALAS1 gene (also referred to herein as an“ALAS1-specific iRNA”). The use of such an iRNA enables the targeteddegradation of mRNAs of genes that are implicated in pathologiesassociated with ALAS1 expression in mammals, e.g., porphyrias such asALA dehydratase deficiency porphyria (Doss porphyria) or acuteintermittent porphyria. Very low dosages of ALAS1-specific iRNAs canspecifically and efficiently mediate RNAi, resulting in significantinhibition of expression of an ALAS1 gene. iRNAs targeting ALAS1 canspecifically and efficiently mediate RNAi, resulting in significantinhibition of expression of an ALAS1 gene, e.g., in cell based assays.Thus, methods and compositions including these iRNAs are useful fortreating pathological processes related to ALAS1 expression, such asporphyrias (e.g., X-linked sideroblastic anemia (XLSA), ALA deyhdratasedeficiency porphyria (Doss porphyria), acute intermittent porphyria(AIP), congenital erythropoietic porphyria, prophyria cutanea tarda,hereditary coproporphyria (coproporphyria), variegate porphyria,erythropoietic protoporphyria (EPP), and transient erythroporphyria ofinfancy).

The following description discloses how to make and use compositionscontaining iRNAs to inhibit the expression of an ALAS1 gene, as well ascompositions and methods for treating diseases and disorders caused byor modulated by the expression of this gene. Embodiments of thepharmaceutical compositions featured in the invention include an iRNAhaving an antisense strand comprising a region which is 30 nucleotidesor less in length, generally 19-24 nucleotides in length, which regionis substantially complementary to at least part of an RNA transcript ofan ALAS1 gene, together with a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.Embodiments of compositions featured in the invention also include aniRNA having an antisense strand having a region of complementarity whichis 30 nucleotides or less in length, generally 19-24 nucleotides inlength, and is substantially complementary to at least part of an RNAtranscript of an ALAS1 gene.

Accordingly, in some aspects, pharmaceutical compositions containing anALAS1 iRNA and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier, methods of usingthe compositions to inhibit expression of an ALAS1 gene, and methods ofusing the pharmaceutical compositions to treat disorders related toALAS1 expression are featured in the invention.

I. DEFINITIONS

For convenience, the meaning of certain terms and phrases used in thespecification, examples, and appended claims, are provided below. Ifthere is an apparent discrepancy between the usage of a term in otherparts of this specification and its definition provided in this section,the definition in this section shall prevail.

“G,” “C,” “A,” “T” and “U” each generally stand for a nucleotide thatcontains guanine, cytosine, adenine, thymidine and uracil as a base,respectively. However, it will be understood that the term“ribonucleotide” or “nucleotide” can also refer to a modifiednucleotide, as further detailed below, or a surrogate replacementmoiety. The skilled person is well aware that guanine, cytosine,adenine, and uracil may be replaced by other moieties withoutsubstantially altering the base pairing properties of an oligonucleotidecomprising a nucleotide bearing such replacement moiety. For example,without limitation, a nucleotide comprising inosine as its base may basepair with nucleotides containing adenine, cytosine, or uracil. Hence,nucleotides containing uracil, guanine, or adenine may be replaced inthe nucleotide sequences of dsRNA featured in the invention by anucleotide containing, for example, inosine. In another example, adenineand cytosine anywhere in the oligonucleotide can be replaced withguanine and uracil, respectively to form G-U Wobble base pairing withthe target mRNA. Sequences containing such replacement moieties aresuitable for the compositions and methods featured in the invention.

As used herein, “ALAS1” (also known as ALAS-1; δ-aminolevulinatesynthase 1; δ-ALA synthase 1; 5′-aminolevulinic acid synthase 1; ALAS-H;ALASH; ALAS-N; ALAS3; EC2.3.1.37; 5-aminolevulinate synthase,nonspecific, mitochondrial; ALAS; MIG4; OTTHUMP00000212619;OTTHUMP00000212620; OTTHUMP00000212621; OTTHUMP00000212622;migration-inducing protein 4; EC 2.3.1) refers to a nuclear-encodedmitochondrial enzyme that is the first and typically rate-limitingenzyme in the mammalian heme biosynthetic pathway. ALAS1 catalyzes thecondensation of glycine with succinyl-CoA to form δ-aminolevulinic acid(ALA). The human ALAS1 gene is expressed ubiquitously, is found onchromosome 3p21.1 and typically encodes a sequence of 640 amino acids.In contrast, the ALAS-2 gene, which encodes an isozyme, is expressedonly in erythrocytes, is found on chromoxome Xp11.21, andtypicallyencodes a sequence of 550 amino acids. As used herein an “ALAS1protein” means any protein variant of ALAS1 from any species (e.g.,human, mouse, non-human primate), as well as any mutants and fragmentsthereof that retain an ALAS1 activity. Similarly, an “ALAS1 transcript”refers to any transcript variant of ALAS1, from any species (e.g.,human, mouse, non-human primate). A sequence of a human ALAS1 variant 1mRNA transcript can be found at NM_000688.4 (FIG. 3; SEQ ID NO:1).Another version, a human ALAS1 variant 2 mRNA transcript, can be foundat NM_000688.5 (FIG. 4; SEQ ID NO:382). The level of the mature encodedALAS1 protein is regulated by heme: high levels of heme down-regulatethe mature enzyme in mitochondria while low heme levels up-regulate.Multiple alternatively spliced variants, encoding the same protein, havebeen identified.

As used herein, the term “iRNA,” “RNAi”, “iRNA agent,” or “RNAi agent”refers to an agent that contains RNA as that term is defined herein, andwhich mediates the targeted cleavage of an RNA transcript, e.g., via anRNA-induced silencing complex (RISC) pathway. In one embodiment, an iRNAas described herein effects inhibition of ALAS1 expression. Inhibitionof ALAS1 expression may be assessed based on a reduction in the level ofALAS1 mRNA or a reduction in the level of the ALAS1 protein. As usedherein, “target sequence” refers to a contiguous portion of thenucleotide sequence of an mRNA molecule formed during the transcriptionof an ALAS1 gene, including mRNA that is a product of RNA processing ofa primary transcription product. The target portion of the sequence willbe at least long enough to serve as a substrate for iRNA-directedcleavage at or near that portion. For example, the target sequence willgenerally be from 9-36 nucleotides in length, e.g., 15-30 nucleotides inlength, including all sub-ranges therebetween. As non-limiting examples,the target sequence can be from 15-30 nucleotides, 15-26 nucleotides,15-23 nucleotides, 15-22 nucleotides, 15-21 nucleotides, 15-20nucleotides, 15-19 nucleotides, 15-18 nucleotides, 15-17 nucleotides,18-30 nucleotides, 18-26 nucleotides, 18-23 nucleotides, 18-22nucleotides, 18-21 nucleotides, 18-20 nucleotides, 19-30 nucleotides,19-26 nucleotides, 19-23 nucleotides, 19-22 nucleotides, 19-21nucleotides, 19-20 nucleotides, 20-30 nucleotides, 20-26 nucleotides,20-25 nucleotides, 20-24 nucleotides, 20-23 nucleotides, 20-22nucleotides, 20-21 nucleotides, 21-30 nucleotides, 21-26 nucleotides,21-25 nucleotides, 21-24 nucleotides, 21-23 nucleotides, or 21-22nucleotides.

As used herein, the term “strand comprising a sequence” refers to anoligonucleotide comprising a chain of nucleotides that is described bythe sequence referred to using the standard nucleotide nomenclature.

As used herein, and unless otherwise indicated, the term“complementary,” when used to describe a first nucleotide sequence inrelation to a second nucleotide sequence, refers to the ability of anoligonucleotide or polynucleotide comprising the first nucleotidesequence to hybridize and form a duplex structure under certainconditions with an oligonucleotide or polynucleotide comprising thesecond nucleotide sequence, as will be understood by the skilled person.Such conditions can, for example, be stringent conditions, wherestringent conditions may include: 400 mM NaCl, 40 mM PIPES pH 6.4, 1 mMEDTA, 50° C. or 70° C. for 12-16 hours followed by washing. Otherconditions, such as physiologically relevant conditions as may beencountered inside an organism, can apply. The skilled person will beable to determine the set of conditions most appropriate for a test ofcomplementarity of two sequences in accordance with the ultimateapplication of the hybridized nucleotides.

Complementary sequences within an iRNA, e.g., within a dsRNA asdescribed herein, include base-pairing of the oligonucleotide orpolynucleotide comprising a first nucleotide sequence to anoligonucleotide or polynucleotide comprising a second nucleotidesequence over the entire length of one or both nucleotide sequences.Such sequences can be referred to as “fully complementary” with respectto each other herein. However, where a first sequence is referred to as“substantially complementary” with respect to a second sequence herein,the two sequences can be fully complementary, or they may form one ormore, but generally not more than 5, 4, 3 or 2 mismatched base pairsupon hybridization for a duplex up to 30 base pairs, while retaining theability to hybridize under the conditions most relevant to theirultimate application, e.g., inhibition of gene expression via a RISCpathway. However, where two oligonucleotides are designed to form, uponhybridization, one or more single stranded overhangs, such overhangsshall not be regarded as mismatches with regard to the determination ofcomplementarity. For example, a dsRNA comprising one oligonucleotide 21nucleotides in length and another oligonucleotide 23 nucleotides inlength, wherein the longer oligonucleotide comprises a sequence of 21nucleotides that is fully complementary to the shorter oligonucleotide,may yet be referred to as “fully complementary” for the purposesdescribed herein.

“Complementary” sequences, as used herein, may also include, or beformed entirely from, non-Watson-Crick base pairs and/or base pairsformed from non-natural and modified nucleotides, in as far as the aboverequirements with respect to their ability to hybridize are fulfilled.Such non-Watson-Crick base pairs includes, but are not limited to, G:UWobble or Hoogstein base pairing.

The terms “complementary,” “fully complementary” and “substantiallycomplementary” herein may be used with respect to the base matchingbetween the sense strand and the antisense strand of a dsRNA, or betweenthe antisense strand of an iRNA agent and a target sequence, as will beunderstood from the context of their use.

As used herein, a polynucleotide that is “substantially complementary toat least part of” a messenger RNA (mRNA) refers to a polynucleotide thatis substantially complementary to a contiguous portion of the mRNA ofinterest (e.g., an mRNA encoding an ALAS1 protein). For example, apolynucleotide is complementary to at least a part of an ALAS1 mRNA ifthe sequence is substantially complementary to a non-interrupted portionof an mRNA encoding ALAS1. As another example, a polynucleotide iscomplementary to at least a part of an ALAS1 mRNA if the sequence issubstantially complementary to a non-interrupted portion of an mRNAencoding ALAS1.

The term “double-stranded RNA” or “dsRNA,” as used herein, refers to aniRNA that includes an RNA molecule or complex of molecules having ahybridized duplex region that comprises two anti-parallel andsubstantially complementary nucleic acid strands, which will be referredto as having “sense” and “antisense” orientations with respect to atarget RNA. The duplex region can be of any length that permits specificdegradation of a desired target RNA, e.g., through a RISC pathway, butwill typically range from 9 to 36 base pairs in length, e.g., 15-30 basepairs in length. Considering a duplex between 9 and 36 base pairs, theduplex can be any length in this range, for example, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13,14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31,32, 33, 34, 35, or 36 and any sub-range therein between, including, butnot limited to 15-30 base pairs, 15-26 base pairs, 15-23 base pairs,15-22 base pairs, 15-21 base pairs, 15-20 base pairs, 15-19 base pairs,15-18 base pairs, 15-17 base pairs, 18-30 base pairs, 18-26 base pairs,18-23 base pairs, 18-22 base pairs, 18-21 base pairs, 18-20 base pairs,19-30 base pairs, 19-26 base pairs, 19-23 base pairs, 19-22 base pairs,19-21 base pairs, 19-20 base pairs, 20-30 base pairs, 20-26 base pairs,20-25 base pairs, 20-24 base pairs, 20-23 base pairs, 20-22 base pairs,20-21 base pairs, 21-30 base pairs, 21-26 base pairs, 21-25 base pairs,21-24 base pairs, 21-23 base pairs, or 21-22 base pairs. dsRNAsgenerated in the cell by processing with Dicer and similar enzymes aregenerally in the range of 19-22 base pairs in length. One strand of theduplex region of a dsDNA comprises a sequence that is substantiallycomplementary to a region of a target RNA. The two strands forming theduplex structure can be from a single RNA molecule having at least oneself-complementary region, or can be formed from two or more separateRNA molecules. Where the duplex region is formed from two strands of asingle molecule, the molecule can have a duplex region separated by asingle stranded chain of nucleotides (herein referred to as a “hairpinloop”) between the 3′-end of one strand and the 5′-end of the respectiveother strand forming the duplex structure. The hairpin loop can compriseat least one unpaired nucleotide; in some embodiments the hairpin loopcan comprise at least 3, at least 4, at least 5, at least 6, at least 7,at least 8, at least 9, at least 10, at least 20, at least 23 or moreunpaired nucleotides. Where the two substantially complementary strandsof a dsRNA are comprised by separate RNA molecules, those molecules neednot, but can be covalently connected. Where the two strands areconnected covalently by means other than a hairpin loop, the connectingstructure is referred to as a “linker.” The term “siRNA” is also usedherein to refer to a dsRNA as described above.

In another embodiment, the iRNA agent may be a “single-stranded siRNA”that is introduced into a cell or organism to inhibit a target mRNA.Single-stranded RNAi agents bind to the RISC endonuclease Argonaute 2,which then cleaves the target mRNA. The single-stranded siRNAs aregenerally 15-30 nucleotides and are chemically modified. The design andtesting of single-stranded siRNAs are described in U.S. Pat. No.8,101,348 and in Lima et al., (2012) Cell 150: 883-894, the entirecontents of each of which are hereby incorporated herein by reference.Any of the antisense nucleotide sequences described herein (e.g.,sequences provided in Tables 2, 3, 6, 7, 8, 9, 14, and 15) may be usedas a single-stranded siRNA as described herein or as chemically modifiedby the methods described in Lima et al., (2012) Cell 150:883-894.

In another aspect, the RNA agent is a “single-stranded antisense RNAmolecule”. An single-stranded antisense RNA molecule is complementary toa sequence within the target mRNA. Single-stranded antisense RNAmolecules can inhibit translation in a stoichiometric manner by basepairing to the mRNA and physically obstructing the translationmachinery, see Dias, N. et al., (2002) Mol Cancer Ther 1:347-355.Alternatively, the single-stranded antisense molecules inhibit a targetmRNA by hydridizing to the target and cleaving the target through anRNaseH cleavage event. The single-stranded antisense RNA molecule may beabout 10 to about 30 nucleotides in length and have a sequence that iscomplementary to a target sequence. For example, the single-strandedantisense RNA molecule may comprise a sequence that is at least about10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, or more contiguousnucleotides from any one of the antisense nucleotide sequences describedherein, e.g., sequences provided in any one of Tables 2, 3, 6, 7, 8, 9,14, and 15.

The skilled artisan will recognize that the term “RNA molecule” or“ribonucleic acid molecule” encompasses not only RNA molecules asexpressed or found in nature, but also analogs and derivatives of RNAcomprising one or more ribonucleotide/ribonucleoside analogs orderivatives as described herein or as known in the art. Strictlyspeaking, a “ribonucleoside” includes a nucleoside base and a ribosesugar, and a “ribonucleotide” is a ribonucleoside with one, two or threephosphate moieties. However, the terms “ribonucleoside” and“ribonucleotide” can be considered to be equivalent as used herein. TheRNA can be modified in the nucleobase structure or in theribose-phosphate backbone structure, e.g., as described herein below.However, the molecules comprising ribonucleoside analogs or derivativesmust retain the ability to form a duplex. As non-limiting examples, anRNA molecule can also include at least one modified ribonucleosideincluding but not limited to a 2′-O-methyl modified nucleostide, anucleoside comprising a 5′ phosphorothioate group, a terminal nucleosidelinked to a cholesteryl derivative or dodecanoic acid bisdecylamidegroup, a locked nucleoside, an abasic nucleoside, a 2′-deoxy-2′-fluoromodified nucleoside, a 2′-amino-modified nucleoside, 2′-alkyl-modifiednucleoside, morpholino nucleoside, a phosphoramidate or a non-naturalbase comprising nucleoside, or any combination thereof. Alternatively,an RNA molecule can comprise at least two modified ribonucleosides, atleast 3, at least 4, at least 5, at least 6, at least 7, at least 8, atleast 9, at least 10, at least 15, at least 20 or more, up to the entirelength of the dsRNA molecule. The modifications need not be the same foreach of such a plurality of modified ribonucleosides in an RNA molecule.In one embodiment, modified RNAs contemplated for use in methods andcompositions described herein are peptide nucleic acids (PNAs) that havethe ability to form the required duplex structure and that permit ormediate the specific degradation of a target RNA, e.g., via a RISCpathway.

In one aspect, a modified ribonucleoside includes a deoxyribonucleoside.In such an instance, an iRNA agent can comprise one or moredeoxynucleosides, including, for example, a deoxynucleoside overhang(s),or one or more deoxynucleosides within the double stranded portion of adsRNA. However, it is self evident that under no circumstances is adouble stranded DNA molecule encompassed by the term “iRNA.”

In one aspect, an RNA interference agent includes a single stranded RNAthat interacts with a target RNA sequence to direct the cleavage of thetarget RNA. Without wishing to be bound by theory, long double strandedRNA introduced into cells is broken down into siRNA by a Type IIIendonuclease known as Dicer (Sharp et al., Genes Dev. 2001, 15:485).Dicer, a ribonuclease-III-like enzyme, processes the dsRNA into 19-23base pair short interfering RNAs with characteristic two base 3′overhangs (Bernstein, et al., (2001) Nature 409:363). The siRNAs arethen incorporated into an RNA-induced silencing complex (RISC) where oneor more helicases unwind the siRNA duplex, enabling the complementaryantisense strand to guide target recognition (Nykanen, et al., (2001)Cell 107:309). Upon binding to the appropriate target mRNA, one or moreendonucleases within the RISC cleaves the target to induce silencing(Elbashir, et al., (2001) Genes Dev. 15:188). Thus, in one aspect theinvention relates to a single stranded RNA that promotes the formationof a RISC complex to effect silencing of the target gene.

As used herein, the term “nucleotide overhang” refers to at least oneunpaired nucleotide that protrudes from the duplex structure of an iRNA,e.g., a dsRNA. For example, when a 3′-end of one strand of a dsRNAextends beyond the 5′-end of the other strand, or vice versa, there is anucleotide overhang. A dsRNA can comprise an overhang of at least onenucleotide; alternatively the overhang can comprise at least twonucleotides, at least three nucleotides, at least four nucleotides, atleast five nucleotides or more. A nucleotide overhang can comprise orconsist of a nucleotide/nucleoside analog, including adeoxynucleotide/nucleoside. The overhang(s) may be on the sense strand,the antisense strand or any combination thereof. Furthermore, thenucleotide(s) of an overhang can be present on the 5′ end, 3′ end orboth ends of either an antisense or sense strand of a dsRNA.

In one embodiment, the antisense strand of a dsRNA has a 1-10 nucleotideoverhang at the 3′ end and/or the 5′ end. In one embodiment, the sensestrand of a dsRNA has a 1-10 nucleotide overhang at the 3′ end and/orthe 5′ end. In another embodiment, one or more of the nucleotides in theoverhang is replaced with a nucleoside thiophosphate.

The terms “blunt” or “blunt ended” as used herein in reference to adsRNA mean that there are no unpaired nucleotides or nucleotide analogsat a given terminal end of a dsRNA, i.e., no nucleotide overhang. One orboth ends of a dsRNA can be blunt. Where both ends of a dsRNA are blunt,the dsRNA is said to be blunt ended. To be clear, a “blunt ended” dsRNAis a dsRNA that is blunt at both ends, i.e., no nucleotide overhang ateither end of the molecule. Most often such a molecule will bedouble-stranded over its entire length.

The term “antisense strand” or “guide strand” refers to the strand of aniRNA, e.g., a dsRNA, which includes a region that is substantiallycomplementary to a target sequence. As used herein, the term “region ofcomplementarity” refers to the region on the antisense strand that issubstantially complementary to a sequence, for example a targetsequence, as defined herein. Where the region of complementarity is notfully complementary to the target sequence, the mismatches may be in theinternal or terminal regions of the molecule. Generally, the mosttolerated mismatches are in the terminal regions, e.g., within 5, 4, 3,or 2 nucleotides of the 5′ and/or 3′ terminus.

The term “sense strand,” or “passenger strand” as used herein, refers tothe strand of an iRNA that includes a region that is substantiallycomplementary to a region of the antisense strand as that term isdefined herein.

As used herein, the term “SNALP” refers to a stable nucleic acid-lipidparticle. A SNALP represents a vesicle of lipids coating a reducedaqueous interior comprising a nucleic acid such as an iRNA or a plasmidfrom which an iRNA is transcribed. SNALPs are described, e.g., in U.S.Patent Application Publication Nos. 20060240093, 20070135372, and inInternational Application No. WO 2009082817. These applications areincorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

“Introducing into a cell,” when referring to an iRNA, means facilitatingor effecting uptake or absorption into the cell, as is understood bythose skilled in the art. Absorption or uptake of an iRNA can occurthrough unaided diffusive or active cellular processes, or by auxiliaryagents or devices. The meaning of this term is not limited to cells invitro; an iRNA may also be “introduced into a cell,” wherein the cell ispart of a living organism. In such an instance, introduction into thecell will include the delivery to the organism. For example, for in vivodelivery, iRNA can be injected into a tissue site or administeredsystemically. In vivo delivery can also be by a β-glucan deliverysystem, such as those described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,032,401 and5,607,677, and U.S. Publication No. 2005/0281781, which are herebyincorporated by reference in their entirety. In vitro introduction intoa cell includes methods known in the art such as electroporation andlipofection. Further approaches are described herein below or known inthe art.

As used herein, the term “modulate the expression of,” refers to at anleast partial “inhibition” or partial “activation” of an ALAS1 geneexpression in a cell treated with an iRNA composition as describedherein compared to the expression of ALAS1 in a control cell. A controlcell includes an untreated cell, or a cell treated with a non-targetingcontrol iRNA.

The terms “activate,” “enhance,” “up-regulate the expression of,”“increase the expression of,” and the like, in so far as they refer toan ALAS1 gene, herein refer to the at least partial activation of theexpression of an ALAS1 gene, as manifested by an increase in the amountof ALAS1 mRNA, which may be isolated from or detected in a first cell orgroup of cells in which an ALAS1 gene is transcribed and which has orhave been treated such that the expression of an ALAS1 gene isincreased, as compared to a second cell or group of cells substantiallyidentical to the first cell or group of cells but which has or have notbeen so treated (control cells).

In one embodiment, expression of an ALAS1 gene is activated by at leastabout 10%, 15%, 20%, 25%, 30%, 35%, 40%, 45%, or 50% by administrationof an iRNA as described herein. In some embodiments, an ALAS1 gene isactivated by at least about 60%, 70%, or 80% by administration of aniRNA featured in the invention. In some embodiments, expression of anALAS1 gene is activated by at least about 85%, 90%, or 95% or more byadministration of an iRNA as described herein. In some embodiments, theALAS1 gene expression is increased by at least 1-fold, at least 2-fold,at least 5-fold, at least 10-fold, at least 50-fold, at least 100-fold,at least 500-fold, at least 1000 fold or more in cells treated with aniRNA as described herein compared to the expression in an untreatedcell. Activation of expression by small dsRNAs is described, forexample, in Li et al., 2006 Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 103:17337-42,and in US20070111963 and US2005226848, each of which is incorporatedherein by reference.

The terms “silence,” “inhibit expression of,” “down-regulate expressionof,” “suppress expression of,” and the like, in so far as they refer toan ALAS1 gene, herein refer to the at least partial suppression of theexpression of an ALAS1 gene, as assessed, e.g., based on on ALAS1 mRNAexpression, ALAS1 protein expression, or another parameter functionallylinked to ALAS1 gene expression (e.g., ALA or PBG concentrations inplasma or urine). For example, inhibition of ALAS1 expression may bemanifested by a reduction of the amount of ALAS1 mRNA which may beisolated from or detected in a first cell or group of cells in which anALAS1 gene is transcribed and which has or have been treated such thatthe expression of an ALAS1 gene is inhibited, as compared to a control.The control may be a second cell or group of cells substantiallyidentical to the first cell or group of cells, except that the secondcell or group of cells have not been so treated (control cells). Thedegree of inhibition is usually expressed as a percentage of a controllevel, e.g.,

${\frac{( {{mRNA}\mspace{11mu} {in}\mspace{14mu} {control}\mspace{14mu} {cells}} ) - ( {{mRNA}\mspace{14mu} {in}\mspace{14mu} {treated}\mspace{14mu} {cells}} )}{( {{mRNA}\mspace{11mu} {in}\mspace{14mu} {control}\mspace{14mu} {cells}} )} \cdot 100}\%$

Alternatively, the degree of inhibition may be given in terms of areduction of a parameter that is functionally linked to ALAS1 geneexpression, e.g., the amount of protein encoded by an ALAS1 gene, or thelevel of one or more porphyrins. The reduction of a parameterfunctionally linked to ALAS1 gene expression may similarly be expressedas a percentage of a control level. In principle, ALAS1 gene silencingmay be determined in any cell expressing ALAS1, either constitutively orby genomic engineering, and by any appropriate assay. However, when areference is needed in order to determine whether a given iRNA inhibitsthe expression of the ALAS1 gene by a certain degree and therefore isencompassed by the instant invention, the assays provided in theExamples below shall serve as such reference.

For example, in certain instances, expression of an ALAS1 gene issuppressed by at least about 10%, 15%, 20%, 25%, 30%, 35%, 40%, 45%, or50% by administration of an iRNA featured in the invention. In someembodiments, an ALAS1 gene is suppressed by at least about 60%, 65%,70%, 75%, or 80% by administration of an iRNA featured in the invention.In some embodiments, an ALAS1 gene is suppressed by at least about 85%,90%, 95%, 98%, 99%, or more by administration of an iRNA as describedherein.

As used herein in the context of ALAS1 expression, the terms “treat,”“treating,” “treatment,” and the like, refer to relief from oralleviation of pathological processes related to ALAS1 expression (e.g.,pathological processes involving porphyrins or defects in the porphyrinpathway, such as, for example, porphyrias). In the context of thepresent invention insofar as it relates to any of the other conditionsrecited herein below (other than pathological processes related to ALAS1expression), the terms “treat,” “treatment,” and the like mean toprevent, relieve or alleviate at least one symptom associated with suchcondition, or to slow or reverse the progression or anticipatedprogression of such condition. For example, the methods featured herein,when employed to treat porphyria, may serve to reduce or prevent one ormore symptoms associated with porphyria (e.g., pain), to reduce theseverity or frequency of attacks associated with porphyria, to reducethe likelihood that an attack of one or more symptoms associated withporphyria will occur upon exposure to a precipitating condition, toshorten an attack associated with porphyria, and/or to reduce the riskof developing conditions associated with porphyria (e.g., hepatocellularcancer or neuropathy (e.g., progressive neuropathy),). Thus, unless thecontext clearly indicates otherwise, the terms “treat,” “treatment,” andthe like are intended to encompass prophylaxis, e.g., prevention ofdisorders and/or symptoms of disorders related to ALAS1 expression.

By “lower” in the context of a disease marker or symptom is meant astatistically or clinically significant decrease in such level. Thedecrease can be, for example, at least 10%, at least 20%, at least 30%,at least 40% or more, and is typically down to a level accepted aswithin the range of normal for an individual without such disorder.

As used herein, the phrases “therapeutically effective amount” and“prophylactically effective amount” refer to an amount that provides atherapeutic benefit in the treatment, prevention, or management ofpathological processes related to ALAS1 expression. The specific amountthat is therapeutically effective can be readily determined by anordinary medical practitioner, and may vary depending on factors knownin the art, such as, for example, the type of pathological process, thepatient's history and age, the stage of pathological process, and theadministration of other agents.

As used herein, a “pharmaceutical composition” comprises apharmacologically effective amount of an iRNA and a pharmaceuticallyacceptable carrier. As used herein, “pharmacologically effectiveamount,” “therapeutically effective amount” or simply “effective amount”refers to that amount of an iRNA effective to produce the intendedpharmacological, therapeutic or preventive result. For example, in amethod of treating a disorder related to ALAS1 expression (e.g., in amethod of treating a porphyria), an effective amount includes an amounteffective to reduce one or more symptoms associated with a porphyria, anamount effective to reduce the frequency of attacks, an amount effectiveto reduce the likelihood that an attack of one or more symptomsassociated with porphyria will occur upon exposure to a precipitatingfactor, or an amount effective to reduce the risk of developingconditions associated with porphyria (e.g., neuropathy (e.g.,progressive neuropathy), hepatocellular cancer). For example, if a givenclinical treatment is considered effective when there is at least a 10%reduction in a measurable parameter associated with a disease ordisorder, a therapeutically effective amount of a drug for the treatmentof that disease or disorder is the amount necessary to effect at least a10% reduction in that parameter. For example, a therapeuticallyeffective amount of an iRNA targeting ALAS1 can reduce ALAS1 proteinlevels by any measurable amount, e.g., by at least 10%, 20%, 30%, 40% or50%.

The term “pharmaceutically acceptable carrier” refers to a carrier foradministration of a therapeutic agent. Such carriers include, but arenot limited to, saline, buffered saline, dextrose, water, glycerol,ethanol, and combinations thereof. The term specifically excludes cellculture medium. For drugs administered orally, pharmaceuticallyacceptable carriers include, but are not limited to pharmaceuticallyacceptable excipients such as inert diluents, disintegrating agents,binding agents, lubricating agents, sweetening agents, flavoring agents,coloring agents and preservatives. Suitable inert diluents includesodium and calcium carbonate, sodium and calcium phosphate, and lactose,while corn starch and alginic acid are suitable disintegrating agents.Binding agents may include starch and gelatin, while the lubricatingagent, if present, will generally be magnesium stearate, stearic acid ortalc. If desired, the tablets may be coated with a material such asglyceryl monostearate or glyceryl distearate, to delay absorption in thegastrointestinal tract. Agents included in drug formulations aredescribed further herein below.

The term “about” when referring to a number or a numerical range meansthat the number or numerical range referred to is an approximationwithin experimental variability (or within statistical experimentalerror), and thus the number or numerical range may vary from, forexample, between 1% and 15% of the stated number or numerical range.

II. DOUBLE-STRANDED RIBONUCLEIC ACID (DSRNA)

Described herein are iRNA agents that inhibit the expression of an ALAS1gene. In one embodiment, the iRNA agent includes double-strandedribonucleic acid (dsRNA) molecules for inhibiting the expression of anALAS1 gene in a cell or in a subject (e.g., in a mammal, e.g., in ahuman having a porphyria), where the dsRNA includes an antisense strandhaving a region of complementarity which is complementary to at least apart of an mRNA formed in the expression of an ALAS1 gene, and where theregion of complementarity is 30 nucleotides or less in length, generally19-24 nucleotides in length, and where the dsRNA, upon contact with acell expressing the ALAS1 gene, inhibits the expression of the ALAS1gene by at least 10% as assayed by, for example, a PCR or branched DNA(bDNA)-based method, or by a protein-based method, such as by Westernblot. In one embodiment, the iRNA agent activates the expression of anALAS1 gene in a cell or mammal. Expression of an ALAS1 gene in cellculture, such as in COS cells, HeLa cells, primary hepatocytes, HepG2cells, primary cultured cells or in a biological sample from a subjectcan be assayed by measuring ALAS1 mRNA levels, such as by bDNA or TaqManassay, or by measuring protein levels, such as by immunofluorescenceanalysis, using, for example, Western Blotting or flow cytometrictechniques.

A dsRNA includes two RNA strands that are sufficiently complementary tohybridize to form a duplex structure under conditions in which the dsRNAwill be used. One strand of a dsRNA (the antisense strand) includes aregion of complementarity that is substantially complementary, andgenerally fully complementary, to a target sequence, derived from thesequence of an mRNA formed during the expression of an ALAS1 gene. Theother strand (the sense strand) includes a region that is complementaryto the antisense strand, such that the two strands hybridize and form aduplex structure when combined under suitable conditions. Generally, theduplex structure is between 15 and 30 inclusive, more generally between18 and 25 inclusive, yet more generally between 19 and 24 inclusive, andmost generally between 19 and 21 base pairs in length, inclusive.Similarly, the region of complementarity to the target sequence isbetween 15 and 30 inclusive, more generally between 18 and 25 inclusive,yet more generally between 19 and 24 inclusive, and most generallybetween 19 and 21 nucleotides in length, inclusive. In some embodiments,the dsRNA is between 15 and 20 nucleotides in length, inclusive, and inother embodiments, the dsRNA is between 25 and 30 nucleotides in length,inclusive. As the ordinarily skilled person will recognize, the targetedregion of an RNA targeted for cleavage will most often be part of alarger RNA molecule, often an mRNA molecule. Where relevant, a “part” ofan mRNA target is a contiguous sequence of an mRNA target of sufficientlength to be a substrate for RNAi-directed cleavage (i.e., cleavagethrough a RISC pathway). dsRNAs having duplexes as short as 9 base pairscan, under some circumstances, mediate RNAi-directed RNA cleavage. Mostoften a target will be at least 15 nucleotides in length, e.g., 15-30nucleotides in length.

One of skill in the art will also recognize that the duplex region is aprimary functional portion of a dsRNA, e.g., a duplex region of 9 to 36,e.g., 15-30 base pairs. Thus, in one embodiment, to the extent that itbecomes processed to a functional duplex of e.g., 15-30 base pairs thattargets a desired RNA for cleavage, an RNA molecule or complex of RNAmolecules having a duplex region greater than 30 base pairs is a dsRNA.Thus, an ordinarily skilled artisan will recognize that in oneembodiment, then, an miRNA is a dsRNA. In another embodiment, a dsRNA isnot a naturally occurring miRNA. In another embodiment, an iRNA agentuseful to target ALAS1 expression is not generated in the target cell bycleavage of a larger dsRNA.

A dsRNA as described herein may further include one or moresingle-stranded nucleotide overhangs. The dsRNA can be synthesized bystandard methods known in the art as further discussed below, e.g., byuse of an automated DNA synthesizer, such as are commercially availablefrom, for example, Biosearch, Applied Biosystems, Inc. In oneembodiment, an ALAS1 gene is a human ALAS1 gene. In another embodimentthe ALAS1 gene is a mouse or a rat ALAS1 gene. In specific embodiments,the first sequence is a sense strand of a dsRNA that includes a sensesequence from Table 2 or Table 3, and the second sequence is anantisense strand of a dsRNA that includes an antisense sequence fromTable 2 or Table 3. In embodiments, the first sequence is a sense strandof a dsRNA that includes a sense sequence from Table 2, 3, 6, 7, 8, 9,14, or 15, and the second sequence is an antisense strand of a dsRNAthat includes an antisense sequence from Table 2, 3, 6, 7, 8, 9, 14, or15. Alternative dsRNA agents that target sequences other than those ofthe dsRNAs of Table 2 or Table 3 can readily be determined using thetarget sequence and the flanking ALAS1 sequence.

In one aspect, a dsRNA will include at least sense and antisensenucleotide sequences, whereby the sense strand is selected from thegroups of sequences provided in Tables 2 and 3, and the correspondingantisense strand of the sense strand is selected from Tables 2 and 3. Ina further aspect, a dsRNA will include at least sense and antisensenucleotide sequences, whereby the sense strand is selected from thegroups of sequences provided in Tables 2, 3, 6, 7, 8, 9, 14, and 15, andthe corresponding antisense strand of the sense strand is selected fromTables 2, 3, 6, 7, 8, 9, 14, and 15. In these aspects, one of the twosequences is complementary to the other of the two sequences, with oneof the sequences being substantially complementary to a sequence of anmRNA generated by the expression of an ALAS1 gene. As such, a dsRNA willinclude two oligonucleotides, where one oligonucleotide is described asthe sense strand in Table 2, 3, 6, 7, 8, 9, 14, or 15, and the secondoligonucleotide is described as the corresponding antisense strand ofthe sense strand from 2, 3, 6, 7, 8, 9, 14, or 15. As describedelsewhere herein and as known in the art, the complementary sequences ofa dsRNA can also be contained as self-complementary regions of a singlenucleic acid molecule, as opposed to being on separate oligonucleotides.

The skilled person is well aware that dsRNAs having a duplex structureof between 20 and 23, but specifically 21, base pairs have been hailedas particularly effective in inducing RNA interference (Elbashir et al.,EMBO 2001, 20:6877-6888). However, others have found that shorter orlonger RNA duplex structures can be effective as well. In theembodiments described above, by virtue of the nature of theoligonucleotide sequences provided in Tables 2, 3, 6, 7, 8, 9, 14, and15, dsRNAs described herein can include at least one strand of a lengthof minimally 21 nucleotides. It can be reasonably expected that shorterduplexes having one of the sequences of Table 2, 3, 6, 7, 8, 9, 14, or15 minus only a few nucleotides on one or both ends may be similarlyeffective as compared to the dsRNAs described above. Hence, dsRNAshaving a partial sequence of at least 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, or morecontiguous nucleotides from one of the sequences of Table 2, 3, 6, 7, 8,9, 14, or 15, and differing in their ability to inhibit the expressionof an ALAS gene by not more than 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, or 30% inhibitionfrom a dsRNA comprising the full sequence, are contemplated according tothe invention.

In addition, the RNAs provided in Tables 2 and 3, as well as the RNAsprovided in Tables 2, 3, 6, 7, 8, 9, 14, and 15, identify a site in anALAS1 transcript that is susceptible to RISC-mediated cleavage. As such,the present invention further features iRNAs that target within one ofsuch sequences. As used herein, an iRNA is said to target within aparticular site of an RNA transcript if the iRNA promotes cleavage ofthe transcript anywhere within that particular site. Such an iRNA willgenerally include at least 15 contiguous nucleotides from one of thesequences provided in Tables 2, 3, 6, 7, 8, 9, 14, and 15 coupled toadditional nucleotide sequences taken from the region contiguous to theselected sequence in an ALAS1 gene.

While a target sequence is generally 15-30 nucleotides in length, thereis wide variation in the suitability of particular sequences in thisrange for directing cleavage of any given target RNA. Various softwarepackages and the guidelines set out herein provide guidance for theidentification of optimal target sequences for any given gene target,but an empirical approach can also be taken in which a “window” or“mask” of a given size (as a non-limiting example, 21 nucleotides) isliterally or figuratively (including, e.g., in silico) placed on thetarget RNA sequence to identify sequences in the size range that mayserve as target sequences. By moving the sequence “window” progressivelyone nucleotide upstream or downstream of an initial target sequencelocation, the next potential target sequence can be identified, untilthe complete set of possible sequences is identified for any giventarget size selected. This process, coupled with systematic synthesisand testing of the identified sequences (using assays as describedherein or as known in the art) to identify those sequences that performoptimally can identify those RNA sequences that, when targeted with aniRNA agent, mediate the best inhibition of target gene expression. Thus,while the sequences identified, for example, in Tables 2, 3, 6, 7, 8, 9,14, and 15, represent effective target sequences, it is contemplatedthat further optimization of inhibition efficiency can be achieved byprogressively “walking the window” one nucleotide upstream or downstreamof the given sequences to identify sequences with equal or betterinhibition characteristics.

Further, it is contemplated that for any sequence identified, e.g., inTables 2, 3, 6, 7, 8, 9, 14, and 15, further optimization can beachieved by systematically either adding or removing nucleotides togenerate longer or shorter sequences and testing those and sequencesgenerated by walking a window of the longer or shorter size up or downthe target RNA from that point. Again, coupling this approach togenerating new candidate targets with testing for effectiveness of iRNAsbased on those target sequences in an inhibition assay as known in theart or as described herein can lead to further improvements in theefficiency of inhibition. Further still, such optimized sequences can beadjusted by, e.g., the introduction of modified nucleotides as describedherein or as known in the art, addition or changes in overhang, or othermodifications as known in the art and/or discussed herein to furtheroptimize the molecule (e.g., increasing serum stability or circulatinghalf-life, increasing thermal stability, enhancing transmembranedelivery, targeting to a particular location or cell type, increasinginteraction with silencing pathway enzymes, increasing release fromendosomes, etc.) as an expression inhibitor.

An iRNA as described herein can contain one or more mismatches to thetarget sequence. In one embodiment, an iRNA as described herein containsno more than 3 mismatches. If the antisense strand of the iRNA containsmismatches to a target sequence, it is preferable that the area ofmismatch not be located in the center of the region of complementarity.If the antisense strand of the iRNA contains mismatches to the targetsequence, it is preferable that the mismatch be restricted to be withinthe last 5 nucleotides from either the 5′ or 3′ end of the region ofcomplementarity. For example, for a 23 nucleotide iRNA agent RNA strandwhich is complementary to a region of an ALAS1 gene, the RNA strandgenerally does not contain any mismatch within the central 13nucleotides. The methods described herein or methods known in the artcan be used to determine whether an iRNA containing a mismatch to atarget sequence is effective in inhibiting the expression of an ALAS1gene. Consideration of the efficacy of iRNAs with mismatches ininhibiting expression of an ALAS1 gene is important, especially if theparticular region of complementarity in an ALAS1 gene is known to havepolymorphic sequence variation within the population.

In one embodiment, at least one end of a dsRNA has a single-strandednucleotide overhang of 1 to 4, generally 1 or 2 nucleotides. dsRNAshaving at least one nucleotide overhang have unexpectedly superiorinhibitory properties relative to their blunt-ended counterparts. In yetanother embodiment, the RNA of an iRNA, e.g., a dsRNA, is chemicallymodified to enhance stability or other beneficial characteristics. Thenucleic acids featured in the invention may be synthesized and/ormodified by methods well established in the art, such as those describedin “Current protocols in nucleic acid chemistry,” Beaucage, S. L. et al.(Edrs.), John Wiley & Sons, Inc., New York, N.Y., USA, which is herebyincorporated herein by reference. Modifications include, for example,(a) end modifications, e.g., 5′ end modifications (phosphorylation,conjugation, inverted linkages, etc.) 3′ end modifications (conjugation,DNA nucleotides, inverted linkages, etc.), (b) base modifications, e.g.,replacement with stabilizing bases, destabilizing bases, or bases thatbase pair with an expanded repertoire of partners, removal of bases(abasic nucleotides), or conjugated bases, (c) sugar modifications(e.g., at the 2′ position or 4′ position) or replacement of the sugar,as well as (d) backbone modifications, including modification orreplacement of the phosphodiester linkages. Specific examples of RNAcompounds useful in this invention include, but are not limited to RNAscontaining modified backbones or no natural internucleoside linkages.RNAs having modified backbones include, among others, those that do nothave a phosphorus atom in the backbone. For the purposes of thisspecification, and as sometimes referenced in the art, modified RNAsthat do not have a phosphorus atom in their internucleoside backbone canalso be considered to be oligonucleosides. In particular embodiments,the modified RNA will have a phosphorus atom in its internucleosidebackbone.

Modified RNA backbones include, for example, phosphorothioates, chiralphosphorothioates, phosphorodithioates, phosphotriesters,aminoalkylphosphotriesters, methyl and other alkyl phosphonatesincluding 3′-alkylene phosphonates and chiral phosphonates,phosphinates, phosphoramidates including 3′-amino phosphoramidate andaminoalkylphosphoramidates, thionophosphoramidates,thionoalkylphosphonates, thionoalkylphosphotriesters, andboranophosphates having normal 3′-5′ linkages, 2′-5′ linked analogs ofthese, and those) having inverted polarity wherein the adjacent pairs ofnucleoside units are linked 3′-5′ to 5′-3′ or 2′-5′ to 5′-2′. Varioussalts, mixed salts and free acid forms are also included.

Representative U.S. patents that teach the preparation of the abovephosphorus-containing linkages include, but are not limited to, U.S.Pat. Nos. 3,687,808; 4,469,863; 4,476,301; 5,023,243; 5,177,195;5,188,897; 5,264,423; 5,276,019; 5,278,302; 5,286,717; 5,321,131;5,399,676; 5,405,939; 5,453,496; 5,455,233; 5,466,677; 5,476,925;5,519,126; 5,536,821; 5,541,316; 5,550,111; 5,563,253; 5,571,799;5,587,361; 5,625,050; 6,028,188; 6,124,445; 6,160,109; 6,169,170;6,172,209; 6,239,265; 6,277,603; 6,326,199; 6,346,614; 6,444,423;6,531,590; 6,534,639; 6,608,035; 6,683,167; 6,858,715; 6,867,294;6,878,805; 7,015,315; 7,041,816; 7,273,933; 7,321,029; and U.S. Pat.RE39464, each of which is herein incorporated by reference.

Modified RNA backbones that do not include a phosphorus atom thereinhave backbones that are formed by short chain alkyl or cycloalkylinternucleoside linkages, mixed heteroatoms and alkyl or cycloalkylinternucleoside linkages, or one or more short chain heteroatomic orheterocyclic internucleoside linkages. These include those havingmorpholino linkages (formed in part from the sugar portion of anucleoside); siloxane backbones; sulfide, sulfoxide and sulfonebackbones; formacetyl and thioformacetyl backbones; methylene formacetyland thioformacetyl backbones; alkene containing backbones; sulfamatebackbones; methyleneimino and methylenehydrazino backbones; sulfonateand sulfonamide backbones; amide backbones; and others having mixed N,O, S and CH₂ component parts.

Representative U.S. patents that teach the preparation of the aboveoligonucleosides include, but are not limited to, U.S. Pat. Nos.5,034,506; 5,166,315; 5,185,444; 5,214,134; 5,216,141; 5,235,033;5,64,562; 5,264,564; 5,405,938; 5,434,257; 5,466,677; 5,470,967;5,489,677; 5,541,307; 5,561,225; 5,596,086; 5,602,240; 5,608,046;5,610,289; 5,618,704; 5,623,070; 5,663,312; 5,633,360; 5,677,437; and,5,677,439, each of which is herein incorporated by reference.

In other RNA mimetics suitable or contemplated for use in iRNAs, boththe sugar and the internucleoside linkage, i.e., the backbone, of thenucleotide units are replaced with novel groups. The base units aremaintained for hybridization with an appropriate nucleic acid targetcompound. One such oligomeric compound, an RNA mimetic that has beenshown to have excellent hybridization properties, is referred to as apeptide nucleic acid (PNA). In PNA compounds, the sugar backbone of anRNA is replaced with an amide containing backbone, in particular anaminoethylglycine backbone. The nucleobases are retained and are bounddirectly or indirectly to aza nitrogen atoms of the amide portion of thebackbone. Representative U.S. patents that teach the preparation of PNAcompounds include, but are not limited to, U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,539,082;5,714,331; and 5,719,262, each of which is herein incorporated byreference. Further teaching of PNA compounds can be found, for example,in Nielsen et al., Science, 1991, 254, 1497-1500.

Some embodiments featured in the invention include RNAs withphosphorothioate backbones and oligonucleosides with heteroatombackbones, and in particular —CH₂—NH—CH₂—, —CH₂—N(CH₃)—O—CH₂— [known asa methylene (methylimino) or MMI backbone], —CH₂—O—N(CH₃)—CH₂—,—CH₂—N(CH₃)—N(CH₃)—CH₂— and —N(CH₃)—CH₂—CH₂— [wherein the nativephosphodiester backbone is represented as —O—P—O—CH₂—] of theabove-referenced U.S. Pat. No. 5,489,677, and the amide backbones of theabove-referenced U.S. Pat. No. 5,602,240. In some embodiments, the RNAsfeatured herein have morpholino backbone structures of theabove-referenced U.S. Pat. No. 5,034,506.

Modified RNAs may also contain one or more substituted sugar moieties.The iRNAs, e.g., dsRNAs, featured herein can include one of thefollowing at the 2′ position: OH; F; O—, S—, or N-alkyl; O—, S—, orN-alkenyl; O—, S- or N-alkynyl; or O-alkyl-O-alkyl, wherein the alkyl,alkenyl and alkynyl may be substituted or unsubstituted C₁ to C₁₀ alkylor C₂ to C₁₀ alkenyl and alkynyl. Exemplary suitable modificationsinclude O[(CH₂)_(n)O]_(m)CH₃, O(CH₂)._(n)OCH₃, O(CH₂)_(n)NH₂,O(CH₂)_(n)CH₃, O(CH₂)_(n)ONH₂, and O(CH₂)_(n)ON[(CH₂)CH₃)]₂, where n andm are from 1 to about 10. In other embodiments, dsRNAs include one ofthe following at the 2′ position: C₁ to C₁₀ lower alkyl, substitutedlower alkyl, alkaryl, aralkyl, O-alkaryl or O-aralkyl, SH, SCH₃, OCN,Cl, Br, CN, CF₃, OCF₃, SOCH₃, SO₂CH₃, ONO₂, NO₂, N₃, NH₂,heterocycloalkyl, heterocycloalkaryl, aminoalkylamino, polyalkylamino,substituted silyl, an RNA cleaving group, a reporter group, anintercalator, a group for improving the pharmacokinetic properties of aniRNA, or a group for improving the pharmacodynamic properties of aniRNA, and other substituents having similar properties. In someembodiments, the modification includes a 2′-methoxyethoxy(2′-O—CH₂CH₂OCH₃, also known as 2′-O-(2-methoxyethyl) or 2′-MOE) (Martinet al., Helv. Chim. Acta, 1995, 78:486-504) i.e., an alkoxy-alkoxygroup. Another exemplary modification is 2′-dimethylaminooxyethoxy,i.e., a O(CH₂)₂ON(CH₃)₂ group, also known as 2′-DMAOE, as described inexamples herein below, and 2′-dimethylaminoethoxyethoxy (also known inthe art as 2′-O-dimethylaminoethoxyethyl or 2′-DMAEOE), i.e.,2′-O—CH₂—O—CH₂—N(CH₂)₂, also described in examples herein below.

Other modifications include 2′-methoxy (2′-OCH₃), 2′-aminopropoxy(2′-OCH₂CH₂CH₂NH₂) and 2′-fluoro (2′-F). Similar modifications may alsobe made at other positions on the RNA of an iRNA, particularly the 3′position of the sugar on the 3′ terminal nucleotide or in 2′-5′ linkeddsRNAs and the 5′ position of 5′ terminal nucleotide. iRNAs may alsohave sugar mimetics such as cyclobutyl moieties in place of thepentofuranosyl sugar. Representative U.S. patents that teach thepreparation of such modified sugar structures include, but are notlimited to, U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,981,957; 5,118,800; 5,319,080; 5,359,044;5,393,878; 5,446,137; 5,466,786; 5,514,785; 5,519,134; 5,567,811;5,576,427; 5,591,722; 5,597,909; 5,610,300; 5,627,053; 5,639,873;5,646,265; 5,658,873; 5,670,633; and 5,700,920, certain of which arecommonly owned with the instant application, and each of which is hereinincorporated by reference.

An iRNA may also include nucleobase (often referred to in the art simplyas “base”) modifications or substitutions. As used herein, “unmodified”or “natural” nucleobases include the purine bases adenine (A) andguanine (G), and the pyrimidine bases thymine (T), cytosine (C) anduracil (U). Modified nucleobases include other synthetic and naturalnucleobases such as 5-methylcytosine (5-me-C), 5-hydroxymethyl cytosine,xanthine, hypoxanthine, 2-aminoadenine, 6-methyl and other alkylderivatives of adenine and guanine, 2-propyl and other alkyl derivativesof adenine and guanine, 2-thiouracil, 2-thiothymine and 2-thiocytosine,5-halouracil and cytosine, 5-propynyl uracil and cytosine, 6-azo uracil,cytosine and thymine, 5-uracil (pseudouracil), 4-thiouracil, 8-halo,8-amino, 8-thiol, 8-thioalkyl, 8-hydroxyl anal other 8-substitutedadenines and guanines, 5-halo, particularly 5-bromo, 5-trifluoromethyland other 5-substituted uracils and cytosines, 7-methylguanine and7-methyladenine, 8-azaguanine and 8-azaadenine, 7-deazaguanine and7-daazaadenine and 3-deazaguanine and 3-deazaadenine. Furthernucleobases include those disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,687,808, thosedisclosed in Modified Nucleosides in Biochemistry, Biotechnology andMedicine, Herdewijn, P. ed. Wiley-VCH, 2008; those disclosed in TheConcise Encyclopedia Of Polymer Science And Engineering, pages 858-859,Kroschwitz, J. L, ed. John Wiley & Sons, 1990, these disclosed byEnglisch et al., Angewandte Chemie, International Edition, 1991, 30,613, and those disclosed by Sanghvi, Y S., Chapter 15, dsRNA Researchand Applications, pages 289-302, Crooke, S. T. and Lebleu, B., Ed., CRCPress, 1993. Certain of these nucleobases are particularly useful forincreasing the binding affinity of the oligomeric compounds featured inthe invention. These include 5-substituted pyrimidines, 6-azapyrimidinesand N-2, N-6 and 0-6 substituted purines, including2-aminopropyladenine, 5-propynyluracil and 5-propynylcytosine.5-methylcytosine substitutions have been shown to increase nucleic acidduplex stability by 0.6-1.2° C. (Sanghvi, Y. S., Crooke, S. T. andLebleu, B., Eds., dsRNA Research and Applications, CRC Press, BocaRaton, 1993, pp. 276-278) and are exemplary base substitutions, evenmore particularly when combined with 2′-O-methoxyethyl sugarmodifications.

Representative U.S. patents that teach the preparation of certain of theabove noted modified nucleobases as well as other modified nucleobasesinclude, but are not limited to, the above noted U.S. Pat. No.3,687,808, as well as U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,845,205; 5,130,30; 5,134,066;5,175,273; 5,367,066; 5,432,272; 5,457,187; 5,459,255; 5,484,908;5,502,177; 5,525,711; 5,552,540; 5,587,469; 5,594,121, 5,596,091;5,614,617; 5,681,941; 6,015,886; 6,147,200; 6,166,197; 6,222,025;6,235,887; 6,380,368; 6,528,640; 6,639,062; 6,617,438; 7,045,610;7,427,672; and 7,495,088, each of which is herein incorporated byreference, and U.S. Pat. No. 5,750,692, also herein incorporated byreference.

The RNA of an iRNA can also be modified to include one or more lockednucleic acids (LNA). A locked nucleic acid is a nucleotide having amodified ribose moiety in which the ribose moiety comprises an extrabridge connecting the 2′ and 4′ carbons. This structure effectively“locks” the ribose in the 3′-endo structural conformation. The additionof locked nucleic acids to siRNAs has been shown to increase siRNAstability in serum, and to reduce off-target effects (Elmen, J. et al.,(2005) Nucleic Acids Research 33(1):439-447; Mook, O R. et al., (2007)Mol Canc Ther 6(3):833-843; Grunweller, A. et al., (2003) Nucleic AcidsResearch 31(12):3185-3193).

Representative U.S. patents that teach the preparation of locked nucleicacid nucleotides include, but are not limited to, the following: U.S.Pat. Nos. 6,268,490; 6,670,461; 6,794,499; 6,998,484; 7,053,207;7,084,125; and 7,399,845, each of which is herein incorporated byreference in its entirety.

Potentially stabilizing modifications to the ends of RNA molecules caninclude N-(acetylaminocaproyl)-4-hydroxyprolinol (Hyp-C6-NHAc),N-(caproyl-4-hydroxyprolinol (Hyp-C6), N-(acetyl-4-hydroxyprolinol(Hyp-NHAc), thymidine-2′-O-deoxythymidine (ether),N-(aminocaproyl)-4-hydroxyprolinol (Hyp-C6-amino),2-docosanoyl-uridine-3″-phosphate, inverted base dT (idT) and others.Disclosure of this modification can be found in PCT Publication No. WO2011/005861.

iRNA Motifs

In one embodiment, the sense strand sequence may be represented byformula (I):

5′n _(p)-N_(a)—(XXX)_(i)—N_(b)—YYY—N_(b)—(ZZZ)_(j)—N_(a)-n _(q)3′  (I)

wherein:

i and j are each independently 0 or 1;

p and q are each independently 0-6;

each N_(a) independently represents an oligonucleotide sequencecomprising 0-25 modified nucleotides, each sequence comprising at leasttwo differently modified nucleotides;

each N_(b) independently represents an oligonucleotide sequencecomprising 0-10 modified nucleotides;

each n_(p) and n_(q) independently represent an overhang nucleotide;

wherein Nb and Y do not have the same modification; and

XXX, YYY and ZZZ each independently represent one motif of threeidentical modifications on three consecutive nucleotides. Preferably YYYis all 2′-F modified nucleotides.

In one embodiment, the N_(a) and/or N_(b) comprise modifications ofalternating pattern.

In one embodiment, the YYY motif occurs at or near the cleavage site ofthe sense strand. For example, when the RNAi agent has a duplex regionof 17-23 nucleotides in length, the YYY motif can occur at or thevicinity of the cleavage site (e.g.: can occur at positions 6, 7, 8; 7,8, 9; 8, 9, 10; 9, 10, 11; 10, 11, 12 or 11, 12, 13) of—the sensestrand, the count starting from the 1^(st) nucleotide, from the 5′-end;or optionally, the count starting at the 1^(st) paired nucleotide withinthe duplex region, from the 5′-end.

In one embodiment, i is 1 and j is 0, or i is 0 and j is 1, or both iand j are 1. The sense strand can therefore be represented by thefollowing formulas:

5′n _(p)-N_(a)—YYY—N_(b)—ZZZ—N_(a)-n _(q)3′  (Ib);

5′n _(p)-N_(a)—XXX—N_(b)—YYY—N_(a)-n _(q)3′  (Ic);

or

5′n _(p)-N_(a)—XXX—N_(b)—YYY—N_(b)—ZZZ—N_(a)-n _(q)3′  (Id).

When the sense strand is represented by formula (Ib), N_(b) representsan oligonucleotide sequence comprising 0-10, 0-7, 0-5, 0-4, 0-2 or 0modified nucleotides. Each N_(a) independently can represent anoligonucleotide sequence comprising 2-20, 2-15, or 2-10 modifiednucleotides.

When the sense strand is represented as formula (Ic), N_(b) representsan oligonucleotide sequence comprising 0-10, 0-7, 0-5, 0-4, 0-2 or 0modified nucleotides. Each N_(a) can independently represent anoligonucleotide sequence comprising 2-20, 2-15, or 2-10 modifiednucleotides.

When the sense strand is represented as formula (Id), each N_(b)independently represents an oligonucleotide sequence comprising 0-10,0-7, 0-5, 0-4, 0-2 or 0 modified nucleotides.

Preferably, N_(b) is 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 or 6. Each N_(a) can independentlyrepresent an oligonucleotide sequence comprising 2-20, 2-15, or 2-10modified nucleotides.

Each of X, Y and Z may be the same or different from each other.

In other embodiments, i is 0 and j is 0, and the sense strand may berepresented by the formula:

5′n _(p)-N_(a)—YYY—N_(a)-n _(q)3′  (Ia).

When the sense strand is represented by formula (Ia), each N_(a)independently can represent an oligonucleotide sequence comprising 2-20,2-15, or 2-10 modified nucleotides.

In one embodiment, the antisense strand sequence of the RNAi may berepresented by formula (II):

5′n _(q′)-N_(a)′—(Z′Z′Z′)_(k)—N_(b)′—Y′Y′Y′—N_(b)′—(X′X′X′)_(l)—N′_(a)-n_(p)′3′  (II)

wherein:

k and 1 are each independently 0 or 1;

p′ and q′ are each independently 0-6;

each N_(a)′ independently represents an oligonucleotide sequencecomprising 0-25 modified nucleotides, each sequence comprising at leasttwo differently modified nucleotides;

each N_(b)′ independently represents an oligonucleotide sequencecomprising 0-10 modified nucleotides;

each n_(p)′ and n_(q)′ independently represent an overhang nucleotide;

wherein N_(b)′ and Y′ do not have the same modification;

and

X′X′X′, Y′Y′Y′ and Z′Z′Z′ each independently represent one motif ofthree identical modifications on three consecutive nucleotides.

In one embodiment, the N_(a)′ and/or N_(b)′ comprise modifications ofalternating pattern.

The Y′Y′Y′ motif occurs at or near the cleavage site of the antisensestrand. For example, when the RNAi agent has a duplex region of 17-23nucleotide in length, the Y′Y′Y′ motif can occur at positions 9, 10, 11;10, 11, 12; 11, 12, 13; 12, 13, 14; or 13, 14, 15 of the antisensestrand, with the count starting from the 1^(st) nucleotide, from the5′-end; or optionally, the count starting at the 1^(st) pairednucleotide within the duplex region, from the 5′-end. Preferably, theY′Y′Y′ motif occurs at positions 11, 12, 13.

In one embodiment, Y′Y′Y′ motif is all 2′-OMe modified nucleotides.

In one embodiment, k is 1 and 1 is 0, or k is 0 and 1 is 1, or both kand 1 are 1.

The antisense strand can therefore be represented by the followingformulas:

5′n _(q′)-N_(a)′—Z′Z′Z′—N_(b)′—Y′Y′Y′—N_(a)′-n _(p′)3′  (IIb);

5′n _(q′)-N_(a)′—Y′Y′Y′—N_(b)′—X′X′X′-n _(p′)3′  (IIc);

or

5′n _(q′)-N_(a)′—Z′Z′Z′—N_(b)′—Y′Y′Y′—N_(b)′—X′X′X′—N_(a)′-n_(p′)3′  (IId).

When the antisense strand is represented by formula (IIb), N_(b)represents an oligonucleotide sequence comprising 0-10, 0-7, 0-5, 0-4,0-2 or 0 modified nucleotides. Each N_(a)′ independently represents anoligonucleotide sequence comprising 2-20, 2-15, or 2-10 modifiednucleotides.

When the antisense strand is represented as formula (IIc), N_(b)′represents an oligonucleotide sequence comprising 0-10, 0-7, 0-5, 0-4,0-2 or 0 modified nucleotides. Each N_(a)′ independently represents anoligonucleotide sequence comprising 2-20, 2-15, or 2-10 modifiednucleotides.

When the antisense strand is represented as formula (IId), each N_(b)′independently represents an oligonucleotide sequence comprising 0-10,0-7, 0-5, 0-4, 0-2 or 0 modified nucleotides. Each N_(a)′ independentlyrepresents an oligonucleotide sequence comprising 2-20, 2-15, or 2-10modified nucleotides. Preferably, N_(b) is 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 or 6.

In other embodiments, k is 0 and 1 is 0 and the antisense strand may berepresented by the formula:

5′n _(p′)-N_(a′)—Y′Y′Y′—N_(a′)-n _(q′)3′  (Ia).

When the antisense strand is represented as formula (IIa), each N_(a)′independently represents an oligonucleotide sequence comprising 2-20,2-15, or 2-10 modified nucleotides.

Each of X′, Y′ and Z′ may be the same or different from each other.

Each nucleotide of the sense strand and antisense strand may beindependently modified with LNA, HNA, CeNA, 2′-methoxyethyl,2′-O-methyl, 2′-O-allyl, 2′-C— allyl, 2′-hydroxyl, or 2′-fluoro. Forexample, each nucleotide of the sense strand and antisense strand isindependently modified with 2′-O-methyl or 2′-fluoro. Each X, Y, Z, X′,Y′ and Z′, in particular, may represent a 2′-O-methyl modification or a2′-fluoro modification.

In one embodiment, the sense strand of the RNAi agent may contain YYYmotif occurring at 9, 10 and 11 positions of the strand when the duplexregion is 21 nt, the count starting from the 1^(st) nucleotide from the5′-end, or optionally, the count starting at the 1^(st) pairednucleotide within the duplex region, from the 5′-end; and Y represents2′-F modification. The sense strand may additionally contain XXX motifor ZZZ motifs as wing modifications at the opposite end of the duplexregion; and XXX and ZZZ each independently represents a 2′-OMemodification or 2′-F modification.

In one embodiment the antisense strand may contain Y′Y′Y′ motifoccurring at positions 11, 12, 13 of the strand, the count starting fromthe 1^(st) nucleotide from the 5′-end, or optionally, the count startingat the 1^(st) paired nucleotide within the duplex region, from the5′-end; and Y′ represents 2′-O-methyl modification. The antisense strandmay additionally contain X′X′X′ motif or Z′Z′Z′ motifs as wingmodifications at the opposite end of the duplex region; and X′X′X′ andZ′Z′Z′ each independently represents a 2′-OMe modification or 2′-Fmodification.

The sense strand represented by any one of the above formulas (Ia),(Ib), (Ic), and (Id) forms a duplex with a antisense strand beingrepresented by any one of formulas (IIa), (IIb), (IIc), and (IId),respectively.

Accordingly, the RNAi agents for use in the methods of the invention maycomprise a sense strand and an antisense strand, each strand having 14to 30 nucleotides, the RNAi duplex represented by formula (III):

sense: 5′n _(p)-N_(a)—(XXX)_(i)—N_(b)—YYY—N_(b)—(ZZZ)_(j)—N_(a)-n _(q)3′

antisense: 3′n_(p)′-N_(a)′—(X′X′X′)_(k)—N_(b)′—Y′Y′Y′—N_(b)′—(Z′Z′Z′)_(l)—N_(a)′-n_(q)′5′   (III)

wherein:

i, j, k, and l are each independently 0 or 1;

p, p′, q, and q′ are each independently 0-6;

each N_(a) and N_(a) independently represents an oligonucleotidesequence comprising 0-25 modified nucleotides, each sequence comprisingat least two differently modified nucleotides;

each N_(b) and N_(b) independently represents an oligonucleotidesequence comprising 0-10 modified nucleotides;

wherein

each n_(p)′, n_(p), n_(q)′, and n_(q), each of which may or may not bepresent, independently represents an overhang nucleotide; and

XXX, YYY, ZZZ, X′X′X′, Y′Y′Y′, and Z′Z′Z′ each independently representone motif of three identical modifications on three consecutivenucleotides.

In one embodiment, i is 0 and j is 0; or i is 1 and j is 0; or i is 0and j is 1; or both i and j are 0; or both i and j are 1. In anotherembodiment, k is 0 and 1 is 0; or k is 1 and 1 is 0; k is 0 and 1 is 1;or both k and 1 are 0; or both k and 1 are 1.

Exemplary combinations of the sense strand and antisense strand forminga RNAi duplex include the formulas below:

5′n _(p)-N_(a)—YYY—N_(a)-n _(q)3′

3′n _(p)′-N_(a)′—Y′Y′Y′—N_(a)′-n _(q)′5′   (IIIa)

5′n _(p)-N_(a)—YYY—N_(b)—ZZZ—N_(a)-n _(q)3′

3′n _(p)′-N_(a)′—Y′Y′Y′—N_(b)′—Z′Z′Z′—N_(a) ′n _(q)′5′   (IIIb)

5′n _(p)-N_(a)—XXX—N_(b)—YYY—N_(a)-n _(q)3′

3′n _(p)′-N_(a)′—X′X′X′—N_(b)′—Y′Y′Y′—N_(a)′-n _(q)′5′   (IIIc)

5′n _(p)-N_(a)—XXX—N_(b)—YYY—N_(b)—ZZZ—N_(a)-n _(q)3′

3′n _(p)′-N_(a)′—X′X′X′—N_(b)′—Y′Y′Y′—N_(b)′—Z′Z′Z′—N_(a)-n _(q)′5′  (IIId)

When the RNAi agent is represented by formula (IIIa), each N_(a)independently represents an oligonucleotide sequence comprising 2-20,2-15, or 2-10 modified nucleotides.

When the RNAi agent is represented by formula (IIIb), each N_(b)independently represents an oligonucleotide sequence comprising 1-10,1-7, 1-5 or 1-4 modified nucleotides. Each N_(a) independentlyrepresents an oligonucleotide sequence comprising 2-20, 2-15, or 2-10modified nucleotides.

When the RNAi agent is represented as formula (IIIc), each N_(b), N_(b)′independently represents an oligonucleotide sequence comprising 0-10,0-7, 0-5, 0-4, 0-2 or 10 modified nucleotides. Each N_(a) independentlyrepresents an oligonucleotide sequence comprising 2-20, 2-15, or 2-10modified nucleotides.

When the RNAi agent is represented as formula (IIId), each N_(b), N_(b)′independently represents an oligonucleotide sequence comprising 0-10,0-7, 0-5, 0-4, 0-2 or 10 modified nucleotides. Each N_(a), N_(a)′independently represents an oligonucleotide sequence comprising 2-20,2-15, or 2-10 modified nucleotides. Each of N_(a), N_(a)′, N_(b) andN_(b)′ independently comprises modifications of alternating pattern.

Each of X, Y and Z in formulas (III), (IIIa), (IIIb), (IIIc), and (IIId)may be the same or different from each other.

When the RNAi agent is represented by formula (III), (IIIa), (IIIb),(IIIc), and (IIId), at least one of the Y nucleotides may form a basepair with one of the Y′ nucleotides. Alternatively, at least two of theY nucleotides form base pairs with the corresponding Y′ nucleotides; orall three of the Y nucleotides all form base pairs with thecorresponding Y′ nucleotides.

When the RNAi agent is represented by formula (IIIb) or (IIId), at leastone of the Z nucleotides may form a base pair with one of the Z′nucleotides. Alternatively, at least two of the Z nucleotides form basepairs with the corresponding Z′ nucleotides; or all three of the Znucleotides all form base pairs with the corresponding Z′ nucleotides.

When the RNAi agent is represented as formula (IIIc) or (IIId), at leastone of the X nucleotides may form a base pair with one of the X′nucleotides. Alternatively, at least two of the X nucleotides form basepairs with the corresponding X′ nucleotides; or all three of the Xnucleotides all form base pairs with the corresponding X′ nucleotides.

In one embodiment, the modification on the Y nucleotide is differentthan the modification on the Y′ nucleotide, the modification on the Znucleotide is different than the modification on the Z′ nucleotide,and/or the modification on the X nucleotide is different than themodification on the X′ nucleotide.

In one embodiment, when the RNAi agent is represented by formula (IIId),the N_(a) modifications are 2′-O-methyl or 2′-fluoro modifications. Inanother embodiment, when the RNAi agent is represented by formula(IIId), the N_(a) modifications are 2′-O-methyl or 2′-fluoromodifications and n_(p)′>0 and at least one n_(p)′ is linked to aneighboring nucleotide a via phosphorothioate linkage. In yet anotherembodiment, when the RNAi agent is represented by formula (IIId), theN_(a) modifications are 2′-O-methyl or 2′-fluoro modifications, n_(p)′>0and at least one n_(p)′ is linked to a neighboring nucleotide viaphosphorothioate linkage, and the sense strand is conjugated to one ormore GalNAc derivatives attached through a bivalent or trivalentbranched linker. In another embodiment, when the RNAi agent isrepresented by formula (IIId), the N_(a) modifications are 2′-O-methylor 2′-fluoro modifications, n_(p)′>0 and at least one n_(p)′ is linkedto a neighboring nucleotide via phosphorothioate linkage, the sensestrand comprises at least one phosphorothioate linkage, and the sensestrand is conjugated to one or more GalNAc derivatives attached througha bivalent or trivalent branched linker.

In one embodiment, when the RNAi agent is represented by formula (IIIa),the N_(a) modifications are 2′-O-methyl or 2′-fluoro modifications,n_(p)′>0 and at least one n_(p)′ is linked to a neighboring nucleotidevia phosphorothioate linkage, the sense strand comprises at least onephosphorothioate linkage, and the sense strand is conjugated to one ormore GalNAc derivatives attached through a bivalent or trivalentbranched linker.

In one embodiment, the RNAi agent is a multimer containing at least twoduplexes represented by formula (III), (IIIa), (IIIb), (IIIc), and(IIId), wherein the duplexes are connected by a linker. The linker canbe cleavable or non-cleavable. Optionally, the multimer furthercomprises a ligand. Each of the duplexes can target the same gene or twodifferent genes; or each of the duplexes can target same gene at twodifferent target sites.

In one embodiment, the RNAi agent is a multimer containing three, four,five, six or more duplexes represented by formula (III), (IIIa), (IIIb),(IIIc), and (IIId), wherein the duplexes are connected by a linker. Thelinker can be cleavable or non-cleavable. Optionally, the multimerfurther comprises a ligand. Each of the duplexes can target the samegene or two different genes; or each of the duplexes can target samegene at two different target sites.

In one embodiment, two RNAi agents represented by formula (III), (IIIa),(IIIb), (IIIc), and (IIId) are linked to each other at the 5′ end, andone or both of the 3′ ends and are optionally conjugated to a ligand.Each of the agents can target the same gene or two different genes; oreach of the agents can target same gene at two different target sites.

iRNA Conjugates

The iRNA agents disclosed herein can be in the form of conjugates. Theconjugate may be attached at any suitable location in the iRNA molecule,e.g., at the 3′ end or the 5′ end of the sense or the antisense strand.The conjugates are optionally attached via a linker.

In some embodiments, an iRNA agent described herein is chemically linkedto one or more ligands, moieties or conjugates, which may conferfunctionality, e.g., by affecting (e.g., enhancing) the activity,cellular distribution or cellular uptake of the iRNA. Such moietiesinclude but are not limited to lipid moieties such as a cholesterolmoiety (Letsinger et al., Proc. Natl. Acid. Sci. USA, 1989, 86:6553-6556), cholic acid (Manoharan et al., Biorg. Med. Chem. Let., 1994,4:1053-1060), a thioether, e.g., beryl-S-tritylthiol (Manoharan et al.,Ann. N.Y. Acad. Sci., 1992, 660:306-309; Manoharan et al., Biorg. Med.Chem. Let., 1993, 3:2765-2770), a thiocholesterol (Oberhauser et al.,Nucl. Acids Res., 1992, 20:533-538), an aliphatic chain, e.g.,dodecandiol or undecyl residues (Saison-Behmoaras et al., EMBO J, 1991,10:1111-1118; Kabanov et al., FEBS Lett., 1990, 259:327-330; Svinarchuket al., Biochimie, 1993, 75:49-54), a phospholipid, e.g.,di-hexadecyl-rac-glycerol or triethyl-ammonium1,2-di-O-hexadecyl-rac-glycero-3-phosphonate (Manoharan et al.,Tetrahedron Lett., 1995, 36:3651-3654; Shea et al., Nucl. Acids Res.,1990, 18:3777-3783), a polyamine or a polyethylene glycol chain(Manoharan et al., Nucleosides & Nucleotides, 1995, 14:969-973), oradamantane acetic acid (Manoharan et al., Tetrahedron Lett., 1995,36:3651-3654), a palmityl moiety (Mishra et al., Biochim. Biophys. Acta,1995, 1264:229-237), or an octadecylamine orhexylamino-carbonyloxycholesterol moiety (Crooke et al., J. Pharmacol.Exp. Ther., 1996, 277:923-937).

In one embodiment, a ligand alters the distribution, targeting orlifetime of an iRNA agent into which it is incorporated. In someembodiments, a ligand provides an enhanced affinity for a selectedtarget, e.g, molecule, cell or cell type, compartment, e.g., a cellularor organ compartment, tissue, organ or region of the body, as, e.g.,compared to a species absent such a ligand. Typical ligands will nottake part in duplex pairing in a duplexed nucleic acid.

Ligands can include a naturally occurring substance, such as a protein(e.g., human serum albumin (HSA), low-density lipoprotein (LDL), orglobulin); carbohydrate (e.g., a dextran, pullulan, chitin, chitosan,inulin, cyclodextrin or hyaluronic acid); or a lipid. The ligand mayalso be a recombinant or synthetic molecule, such as a syntheticpolymer, e.g., a synthetic polyamino acid. Examples of polyamino acidsinclude polyamino acid is a polylysine (PLL), poly L-aspartic acid, polyL-glutamic acid, styrene-maleic acid anhydride copolymer,poly(L-lactide-co-glycolied) copolymer, divinyl ether-maleic anhydridecopolymer, N-(2-hydroxypropyl)methacrylamide copolymer (HMPA),polyethylene glycol (PEG), polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), polyurethane,poly(2-ethylacryllic acid), N-isopropylacrylamide polymers, orpolyphosphazine. Example of polyamines include: polyethylenimine,polylysine (PLL), spermine, spermidine, polyamine,pseudopeptide-polyamine, peptidomimetic polyamine, dendrimer polyamine,arginine, amidine, protamine, cationic lipid, cationic porphyrin,quaternary salt of a polyamine, or an a helical peptide.

Ligands can also include targeting groups, e.g., a cell or tissuetargeting agent, e.g., a lectin, glycoprotein, lipid or protein, e.g.,an antibody, that binds to a specified cell type such as a kidney cell.A targeting group can be a thyrotropin, melanotropin, lectin,glycoprotein, surfactant protein A, Mucin carbohydrate, multivalentlactose, multivalent galactose, N-acetyl-galactosamine,N-acetyl-gulucosamine multivalent mannose, multivalent fucose,glycosylated polyaminoacids, multivalent galactose, transferrin,bisphosphonate, polyglutamate, polyaspartate, a lipid, cholesterol, asteroid, bile acid, folate, vitamin B12, biotin, or an RGD peptide orRGD peptide mimetic.

In some embodiments, the ligand is a GalNAc ligand that comprises one ormore N-acetylgalactosamine (GalNAc) derivatives. Additional descriptionof GalNAc ligands is provided in the section titled CarbohydrateConjugates.

Other examples of ligands include dyes, intercalating agents (e.g.acridines), cross-linkers (e.g. psoralene, mitomycin C), porphyrins(TPPC4, texaphyrin, Sapphyrin), polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (e.g.,phenazine, dihydrophenazine), artificial endonucleases (e.g. EDTA),lipophilic molecules, e.g, cholesterol, cholic acid, adamantane aceticacid, 1-pyrene butyric acid, dihydrotestosterone,1,3-Bis-O(hexadecyl)glycerol, geranyloxyhexyl group, hexadecylglycerol,borneol, menthol, 1,3-propanediol, heptadecyl group, palmitic acid,myristic acid, O3-(oleoyl)lithocholic acid, O3-(oleoyl)cholenic acid,dimethoxytrityl, or phenoxazine) and peptide conjugates (e.g.,antennapedia peptide, Tat peptide), alkylating agents, phosphate, amino,mercapto, PEG (e.g., PEG-40K), MPEG, [MPEG]₂, polyamino, alkyl,substituted alkyl, radiolabeled markers, enzymes, haptens (e.g. biotin),transport/absorption facilitators (e.g., aspirin, vitamin E, folicacid), synthetic ribonucleases (e.g., imidazole, bisimidazole,histamine, imidazole clusters, acridine-imidazole conjugates, Eu3+complexes of tetraazamacrocycles), dinitrophenyl, HRP, or AP.

Ligands can be proteins, e.g., glycoproteins, or peptides, e.g.,molecules having a specific affinity for a co-ligand, or antibodiese.g., an antibody, that binds to a specified cell type such as a cancercell, endothelial cell, or bone cell. Ligands may also include hormonesand hormone receptors. They can also include non-peptidic species, suchas lipids, lectins, carbohydrates, vitamins, cofactors, multivalentlactose, multivalent galactose, N-acetyl-galactosamine,N-acetyl-gulucosamine multivalent mannose, or multivalent fucose. Theligand can be, for example, a lipopolysaccharide, an activator of p38MAP kinase, or an activator of NF-κB.

The ligand can be a substance, e.g, a drug, which can increase theuptake of the iRNA agent into the cell, for example, by disrupting thecell's cytoskeleton, e.g., by disrupting the cell's microtubules,microfilaments, and/or intermediate filaments. The drug can be, forexample, taxon, vincristine, vinblastine, cytochalasin, nocodazole,japlakinolide, latrunculin A, phalloidin, swinholide A, indanocine, ormyoservin.

In some embodiments, a ligand attached to an iRNA as described hereinacts as a pharmacokinetic modulator (PK modulator). PK modulatorsinclude lipophiles, bile acids, steroids, phospholipid analogues,peptides, protein binding agents, PEG, vitamins etc. Exemplary PKmodulators include, but are not limited to, cholesterol, fatty acids,cholic acid, lithocholic acid, dialkylglycerides, diacylglyceride,phospholipids, sphingolipids, naproxen, ibuprofen, vitamin E, biotinetc. Oligonucleotides that comprise a number of phosphorothioatelinkages are also known to bind to serum protein, thus shortoligonucleotides, e.g., oligonucleotides of about 5 bases, 10 bases, 15bases or 20 bases, comprising multiple of phosphorothioate linkages inthe backbone are also amenable to the present invention as ligands (e.g.as PK modulating ligands). In addition, aptamers that bind serumcomponents (e.g. serum proteins) are also suitable for use as PKmodulating ligands in the embodiments described herein.

Ligand-conjugated oligonucleotides of the invention may be synthesizedby the use of an oligonucleotide that bears a pendant reactivefunctionality, such as that derived from the attachment of a linkingmolecule onto the oligonucleotide (described below). This reactiveoligonucleotide may be reacted directly with commercially-availableligands, ligands that are synthesized bearing any of a variety ofprotecting groups, or ligands that have a linking moiety attachedthereto.

The oligonucleotides used in the conjugates of the present invention maybe conveniently and routinely made through the well-known technique ofsolid-phase synthesis. Equipment for such synthesis is sold by severalvendors including, for example, Applied Biosystems (Foster City,Calif.). Any other means for such synthesis known in the art mayadditionally or alternatively be employed. It is also known to usesimilar techniques to prepare other oligonucleotides, such as thephosphorothioates and alkylated derivatives.

In the ligand-conjugated oligonucleotides and ligand-molecule bearingsequence-specific linked nucleosides of the present invention, theoligonucleotides and oligonucleosides may be assembled on a suitable DNAsynthesizer utilizing standard nucleotide or nucleoside precursors, ornucleotide or nucleoside conjugate precursors that already bear thelinking moiety, ligand-nucleotide or nucleoside-conjugate precursorsthat already bear the ligand molecule, or non-nucleoside ligand-bearingbuilding blocks.

When using nucleotide-conjugate precursors that already bear a linkingmoiety, the synthesis of the sequence-specific linked nucleosides istypically completed, and the ligand molecule is then reacted with thelinking moiety to form the ligand-conjugated oligonucleotide.

In some embodiments, the oligonucleotides or linked nucleosides of thepresent invention are synthesized by an automated synthesizer usingphosphoramidites derived from ligand-nucleoside conjugates in additionto the standard phosphoramidites and non-standard phosphoramidites thatare commercially available and routinely used in oligonucleotidesynthesis.

Lipid Conjugates

In one embodiment, the ligand is a lipid or lipid-based molecule. Such alipid or lipid-based molecule can typically bind a serum protein, suchas human serum albumin (HSA). An HSA binding ligand allows fordistribution of the conjugate to a target tissue, e.g., a non-kidneytarget tissue of the body. For example, the target tissue can be theliver, including parenchymal cells of the liver. Other molecules thatcan bind HSA can also be used as ligands. For example, neproxin oraspirin can be used. A lipid or lipid-based ligand can (a) increaseresistance to degradation of the conjugate, (b) increase targeting ortransport into a target cell or cell membrane, and/or (c) can be used toadjust binding to a serum protein, e.g., HSA.

A lipid based ligand can be used to modulate, e.g., control (e.g.,inhibit) the binding of the conjugate to a target tissue. For example, alipid or lipid-based ligand that binds to HSA more strongly will be lesslikely to be targeted to the kidney and therefore less likely to becleared from the body. A lipid or lipid-based ligand that binds to HSAless strongly can be used to target the conjugate to the kidney.

In one embodiment, the lipid based ligand binds HSA. For example, theligand can bind HSA with a sufficient affinity such that distribution ofthe conjugate to a non-kidney tissue is enhanced. However, the affinityis typically not so strong that the HSA-ligand binding cannot bereversed.

In another embodiment, the lipid based ligand binds HSA weakly or not atall, such that distribution of the conjugate to the kidney is enhanced.Other moieties that target to kidney cells can also be used in place ofor in addition to the lipid based ligand.

In another aspect, the ligand is a moiety, e.g., a vitamin, which istaken up by a target cell, e.g., a proliferating cell. These areparticularly useful for treating disorders characterized by unwantedcell proliferation, e.g., of the malignant or non-malignant type, e.g.,cancer cells. Exemplary vitamins include vitamin A, E, and K. Otherexemplary vitamins include are B vitamin, e.g., folic acid, B12,riboflavin, biotin, pyridoxal or other vitamins or nutrients taken up bycancer cells. Also included are HSA and low density lipoprotein (LDL).

Cell Permeation Agents

In another aspect, the ligand is a cell-permeation agent, such as ahelical cell-permeation agent. In one embodiment, the agent isamphipathic. An exemplary agent is a peptide such as tat orantennopedia. If the agent is a peptide, it can be modified, including apeptidylmimetic, invertomers, non-peptide or pseudo-peptide linkages,and use of D-amino acids. The helical agent is typically an α-helicalagent, and can have a lipophilic and a lipophobic phase.

The ligand can be a peptide or peptidomimetic. A peptidomimetic (alsoreferred to herein as an oligopeptidomimetic) is a molecule capable offolding into a defined three-dimensional structure similar to a naturalpeptide. The attachment of peptide and peptidomimetics to iRNA agentscan affect pharmacokinetic distribution of the iRNA, such as byenhancing cellular recognition and absorption. The peptide orpeptidomimetic moiety can be about 5-50 amino acids long, e.g., about 5,10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, or 50 amino acids long.

A peptide or peptidomimetic can be, for example, a cell permeationpeptide, cationic peptide, amphipathic peptide, or hydrophobic peptide(e.g., consisting primarily of Tyr, Trp or Phe). The peptide moiety canbe a dendrimer peptide, constrained peptide or crosslinked peptide. Inanother alternative, the peptide moiety can include a hydrophobicmembrane translocation sequence (MTS). An exemplary hydrophobicMTS-containing peptide is RFGF having the amino acid sequenceAAVALLPAVLLALLAP (SEQ ID NO:3367). An RFGF analogue (e.g., amino acidsequence AALLPVLLAAP (SEQ ID NO:3368)) containing a hydrophobic MTS canalso be a targeting moiety. The peptide moiety can be a “delivery”peptide, which can carry large polar molecules including peptides,oligonucleotides, and protein across cell membranes. For example,sequences from the HIV Tat protein (GRKKRRQRRRPPQ (SEQ ID NO:3369)) andthe Drosophila Antennapedia protein (RQIKIWFQNRRMKWKK (SEQ ID NO: 3370))have been found to be capable of functioning as delivery peptides. Apeptide or peptidomimetic can be encoded by a random sequence of DNA,such as a peptide identified from a phage-display library, orone-bead-one-compound (OBOC) combinatorial library (Lam et al., Nature,354:82-84, 1991). Typically, the peptide or peptidomimetic tethered to adsRNA agent via an incorporated monomer unit is a cell targeting peptidesuch as an arginine-glycine-aspartic acid (RGD)-peptide, or RGD mimic. Apeptide moiety can range in length from about 5 amino acids to about 40amino acids. The peptide moieties can have a structural modification,such as to increase stability or direct conformational properties. Anyof the structural modifications described below can be utilized.

An RGD peptide for use in the compositions and methods of the inventionmay be linear or cyclic, and may be modified, e.g., glycosylated ormethylated, to facilitate targeting to a specific tissue(s).RGD-containing peptides and peptidiomimemtics may include D-amino acids,as well as synthetic RGD mimics. In addition to RGD, one can use othermoieties that target the integrin ligand. Preferred conjugates of thisligand target PECAM-1 or VEGF.

An RGD peptide moiety can be used to target a particular cell type,e.g., a tumor cell, such as an endothelial tumor cell or a breast cancertumor cell (Zitzmann et al., Cancer Res., 62:5139-43, 2002). An RGDpeptide can facilitate targeting of an dsRNA agent to tumors of avariety of other tissues, including the lung, kidney, spleen, or liver(Aoki et al., Cancer Gene Therapy 8:783-787, 2001). Typically, the RGDpeptide will facilitate targeting of an iRNA agent to the kidney. TheRGD peptide can be linear or cyclic, and can be modified, e.g.,glycosylated or methylated to facilitate targeting to specific tissues.For example, a glycosylated RGD peptide can deliver a iRNA agent to atumor cell expressing α_(v)β₃ (Haubner et al., Jour. Nucl. Med.,42:326-336, 2001).

A “cell permeation peptide” is capable of permeating a cell, e.g., amicrobial cell, such as a bacterial or fungal cell, or a mammalian cell,such as a human cell. A microbial cell-permeating peptide can be, forexample, an α-helical linear peptide (e.g., LL-37 or Ceropin P1), adisulfide bond-containing peptide (e.g., α-defensin, β-defensin orbactenecin), or a peptide containing only one or two dominating aminoacids (e.g., PR-39 or indolicidin). A cell permeation peptide can alsoinclude a nuclear localization signal (NLS). For example, a cellpermeation peptide can be a bipartite amphipathic peptide, such as MPG,which is derived from the fusion peptide domain of HIV-1 gp41 and theNLS of SV40 large T antigen (Simeoni et al., Nucl. Acids Res.31:2717-2724, 2003).

Carbohydrate Conjugates

In some embodiments of the compositions and methods of the invention, aniRNA oligonucleotide further comprises a carbohydrate. The carbohydrateconjugated iRNA are advantageous for the in vivo delivery of nucleicacids, as well as compositions suitable for in vivo therapeutic use, asdescribed herein. As used herein, “carbohydrate” refers to a compoundwhich is either a carbohydrate per se made up of one or moremonosaccharide units having at least 6 carbon atoms (which can belinear, branched or cyclic) with an oxygen, nitrogen or sulfur atombonded to each carbon atom; or a compound having as a part thereof acarbohydrate moiety made up of one or more monosaccharide units eachhaving at least six carbon atoms (which can be linear, branched orcyclic), with an oxygen, nitrogen or sulfur atom bonded to each carbonatom. Representative carbohydrates include the sugars (mono-, di-, tri-and oligosaccharides containing from about 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, or 9monosaccharide units), and polysaccharides such as starches, glycogen,cellulose and polysaccharide gums. Specific monosaccharides include C5and above (e.g., C5, C6, C7, or C8) sugars; di- and trisaccharidesinclude sugars having two or three monosaccharide units (e.g., C5, C6,C7, or C8).

In one embodiment, a carbohydrate conjugate comprises a monosaccharide.In one embodiment, the monosaccharide is an N-acetylgalactosamine(GalNAc). GalNAc conjugates are described, for example, in U.S. Pat. No.8,106,022, the entire content of which is hereby incorporated herein byreference. In some embodiments, the GalNAc conjugate serves as a ligandthat targets the iRNA to particular cells. In some embodiments, theGalNAc conjugate targets the iRNA to liver cells, e.g., by serving as aligand for the asialoglycoprotein receptor of liver cells (e.g.,hepatocytes).

In some embodiments, the carbohydrate conjugate comprises one or moreGalNAc derivatives. The GalNAc derivatives may be attached via a linker,e.g., a bivalent or trivalent branched linker. In some embodiments theGalNAc conjugate is conjugated to the 3′ end of the sense strand. Insome embodiments, the GalNAc conjugate is conjugated to the iRNA agent(e.g., to the 3′ end of the sense strand) via a linker, e.g., a linkeras described herein.

In some embodiments, the GalNAc conjugate is

In some embodiments, the RNAi agent is attached to the carbohydrateconjugate via a linker as shown in the following schematic, wherein X isO or S

In some embodiments, the RNAi agent is conjugated to L96 as defined inTable 1 and shown below

In some embodiments, a carbohydrate conjugate for use in thecompositions and methods of the invention is selected from the groupconsisting of:

Another representative carbohydrate conjugate for use in the embodimentsdescribed herein includes, but is not limited to,

(Formula XXIII), when one of X or Y is an oligonucleotide, the other isa hydrogen.

In some embodiments, the carbohydrate conjugate further comprises one ormore additional ligands as described above, such as, but not limited to,a PK modulator and/or a cell permeation peptide.

In one embodiment, an iRNA of the invention is conjugated to acarbohydrate through a linker. Non-limiting examples of iRNAcarbohydrate conjugates with linkers of the compositions and methods ofthe invention include, but are not limited to,

(Formula XXX), when one of X or Y is an oligonucleotide, the other is ahydrogen.

Linkers

In some embodiments, the conjugate or ligand described herein can beattached to an iRNA oligonucleotide with various linkers that can becleavable or non-cleavable.

The term “linker” or “linking group” means an organic moiety thatconnects two parts of a compound, e.g., covalently attaches two parts ofa compound. Linkers typically comprise a direct bond or an atom such asoxygen or sulfur, a unit such as NR8, C(O), C(O)NH, SO, SO₂, SO₂NH or achain of atoms, such as, but not limited to, substituted orunsubstituted alkyl, substituted or unsubstituted alkenyl, substitutedor unsubstituted alkynyl, arylalkyl, arylalkenyl, arylalkynyl,heteroarylalkyl, heteroarylalkenyl, heteroarylalkynyl,heterocyclylalkyl, heterocyclylalkenyl, heterocyclylalkynyl, aryl,heteroaryl, heterocyclyl, cycloalkyl, cycloalkenyl, alkylarylalkyl,alkylarylalkenyl, alkylarylalkynyl, alkenylarylalkyl,alkenylarylalkenyl, alkenylarylalkynyl, alkynylarylalkyl,alkynylarylalkenyl, alkynylarylalkynyl, alkylheteroarylalkyl,alkylheteroarylalkenyl, alkylheteroarylalkynyl, alkenylheteroarylalkyl,alkenylheteroarylalkenyl, alkenylheteroarylalkynyl,alkynylheteroarylalkyl, alkynylheteroarylalkenyl,alkynylheteroarylalkynyl, alkylheterocyclylalkyl,alkylheterocyclylalkenyl, alkylhererocyclylalkynyl,alkenylheterocyclylalkyl, alkenylheterocyclylalkenyl,alkenylheterocyclylalkynyl, alkynylheterocyclylalkyl,alkynylheterocyclylalkenyl, alkynylheterocyclylalkynyl, alkylaryl,alkenylaryl, alkynylaryl, alkylheteroaryl, alkenylheteroaryl,alkynylhereroaryl, which one or more methylenes can be interrupted orterminated by O, S, S(O), SO₂, N(R8), C(O), substituted or unsubstitutedaryl, substituted or unsubstituted heteroaryl, substituted orunsubstituted heterocyclic; where R8 is hydrogen, acyl, aliphatic orsubstituted aliphatic. In one embodiment, the linker is between about1-24 atoms, 2-24, 3-24, 4-24, 5-24, 6-24, 6-18, 7-18, 8-18 atoms, 7-17,8-17, 6-16, 7-16, or 8-16 atoms.

In one embodiment, a dsRNA of the invention is conjugated to a bivalentor trivalent branched linker selected from the group of structures shownin any of formula (XXXI)-(XXXIV):

wherein:q2A, q2B, q3A, q3B, q4A, q4B, q5A, q5B and q5C represent independentlyfor each occurrence 0-20 and wherein the repeating unit can be the sameor different;p^(2A), p^(2B), p^(3A), p^(3B), p^(4A), p^(4B), p^(5A), p^(5B), p^(5C),T^(2A), T^(2B), T^(3A), T^(3B), T^(4A), T^(4B), T^(4A), T^(5B), T^(5C)are each independently for each occurrence absent, CO, NH, O, S, OC(O),NHC(O), CH₂, CH₂NH or CH₂O;

Q^(2A), Q^(2B), Q^(3A), Q^(3B), Q^(4A), Q^(4B), Q^(5A), Q^(5B), Q^(5C)are independently for each occurrence absent, alkylene, substitutedalkylene wherein one or more methylenes can be interrupted or terminatedby one or more of O, S, S(O), SO₂, N(R^(N)), C(R′)═C(R″), C≡C or C(O);

R^(2A), R^(2B), R^(3A), R^(3B), R^(4A), R^(4B), R^(5A), R^(5B), R^(5C)are each independently for each occurrence absent, NH, O, S, CH₂, C(O)O,C(O)NH, NHCH(R^(a))C(O), —C(O)—CH(R^(a))—NH—, CO, CH═N—O,

or heterocyclyl;

L^(2A), L^(2B), L^(3A), L^(3B), L^(4A), L^(4B), L^(5A), L^(5B) andL^(5C) represent the ligand; i.e. each independently for each occurrencea monosaccharide (such as GalNAc), disaccharide, trisaccharide,tetrasaccharide, oligosaccharide, or polysaccharide; and R^(a) is H oramino acid side chain. Trivalent conjugating GalNAc derivatives areparticularly useful for use with RNAi agents for inhibiting theexpression of a target gene, such as those of formula (XXXV):

-   -   wherein L^(5A), L^(5B) and L^(5C) represent a monosaccharide,        such as GalNAc derivative.

Examples of suitable bivalent and trivalent branched linker groupsconjugating GalNAc derivatives include, but are not limited to, thestructures recited above as formulas II, VII, XI, X, and XIII.

A cleavable linking group is one which is sufficiently stable outsidethe cell, but which upon entry into a target cell is cleaved to releasethe two parts the linker is holding together. In a preferred embodiment,the cleavable linking group is cleaved at least about 10 times, 20,times, 30 times, 40 times, 50 times, 60 times, 70 times, 80 times, 90times or more, or at least about 100 times faster in a target cell orunder a first reference condition (which can, e.g., be selected to mimicor represent intracellular conditions) than in the blood of a subject,or under a second reference condition (which can, e.g., be selected tomimic or represent conditions found in the blood or serum).

Cleavable linking groups are susceptible to cleavage agents, e.g., pH,redox potential or the presence of degradative molecules. Generally,cleavage agents are more prevalent or found at higher levels oractivities inside cells than in serum or blood. Examples of suchdegradative agents include: redox agents which are selected forparticular substrates or which have no substrate specificity, including,e.g., oxidative or reductive enzymes or reductive agents such asmercaptans, present in cells, that can degrade a redox cleavable linkinggroup by reduction; esterases; endosomes or agents that can create anacidic environment, e.g., those that result in a pH of five or lower;enzymes that can hydrolyze or degrade an acid cleavable linking group byacting as a general acid, peptidases (which can be substrate specific),and phosphatases.

A cleavable linkage group, such as a disulfide bond can be susceptibleto pH. The pH of human serum is 7.4, while the average intracellular pHis slightly lower, ranging from about 7.1-7.3. Endosomes have a moreacidic pH, in the range of 5.5-6.0, and lysosomes have an even moreacidic pH at around 5.0. Some linkers will have a cleavable linkinggroup that is cleaved at a preferred pH, thereby releasing a cationiclipid from the ligand inside the cell, or into the desired compartmentof the cell.

A linker can include a cleavable linking group that is cleavable by aparticular enzyme. The type of cleavable linking group incorporated intoa linker can depend on the cell to be targeted. For example, aliver-targeting ligand can be linked to a cationic lipid through alinker that includes an ester group. Liver cells are rich in esterases,and therefore the linker will be cleaved more efficiently in liver cellsthan in cell types that are not esterase-rich. Other cell-types rich inesterases include cells of the lung, renal cortex, and testis.

Linkers that contain peptide bonds can be used when targeting cell typesrich in peptidases, such as liver cells and synoviocytes.

In general, the suitability of a candidate cleavable linking group canbe evaluated by testing the ability of a degradative agent (orcondition) to cleave the candidate linking group. It will also bedesirable to also test the candidate cleavable linking group for theability to resist cleavage in the blood or when in contact with othernon-target tissue. Thus, one can determine the relative susceptibilityto cleavage between a first and a second condition, where the first isselected to be indicative of cleavage in a target cell and the second isselected to be indicative of cleavage in other tissues or biologicalfluids, e.g., blood or serum. The evaluations can be carried out in cellfree systems, in cells, in cell culture, in organ or tissue culture, orin whole animals. It can be useful to make initial evaluations incell-free or culture conditions and to confirm by further evaluations inwhole animals. In preferred embodiments, useful candidate compounds arecleaved at least about 2, 4, 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90, orabout 100 times faster in the cell (or under in vitro conditionsselected to mimic intracellular conditions) as compared to blood orserum (or under in vitro conditions selected to mimic extracellularconditions).

Redox Cleavable Linking Groups

In one embodiment, a cleavable linking group is a redox cleavablelinking group that is cleaved upon reduction or oxidation. An example ofreductively cleavable linking group is a disulphide linking group(—S—S—). To determine if a candidate cleavable linking group is asuitable “reductively cleavable linking group,” or for example issuitable for use with a particular iRNA moiety and particular targetingagent one can look to methods described herein. For example, a candidatecan be evaluated by incubation with dithiothreitol (DTT), or otherreducing agent using reagents know in the art, which mimic the rate ofcleavage which would be observed in a cell, e.g., a target cell. Thecandidates can also be evaluated under conditions which are selected tomimic blood or serum conditions. In one, candidate compounds are cleavedby at most about 10% in the blood. In other embodiments, usefulcandidate compounds are degraded at least about 2, 4, 10, 20, 30, 40,50, 60, 70, 80, 90, or about 100 times faster in the cell (or under invitro conditions selected to mimic intracellular conditions) as comparedto blood (or under in vitro conditions selected to mimic extracellularconditions). The rate of cleavage of candidate compounds can bedetermined using standard enzyme kinetics assays under conditions chosento mimic intracellular media and compared to conditions chosen to mimicextracellular media.

Phosphate-Based Cleavable Linking Groups

In another embodiment, a cleavable linker comprises a phosphate-basedcleavable linking group. A phosphate-based cleavable linking group iscleaved by agents that degrade or hydrolyze the phosphate group. Anexample of an agent that cleaves phosphate groups in cells are enzymessuch as phosphatases in cells. Examples of phosphate-based linkinggroups are —O—P(O)(ORk)-O—, —O—P(S)(ORk)-O—, —O—P(S)(SRk)-O—,—S—P(O)(ORk)-O—, —O—P(O)(ORk)-S—, —S—P(O)(ORk)-S—, —O—P(S)(ORk)-S—,—S—P(S)(ORk)-O—, —O—P(O)(Rk)-O—, —O—P(S)(Rk)-O—, —S—P(O)(Rk)-O—,—S—P(S)(Rk)-O—, —S—P(O)(Rk)-S—, —O—P(S)(Rk)-S—. Preferred embodimentsare —O—P(O)(OH)—O—, —O—P(S)(OH)—O—, —O—P(S)(SH)—O—, —S—P(O)(OH)—O—,—O—P(O)(OH)—S—, —S—P(O)(OH)—S—, —O—P(S)(OH)—S—, —S—P(S)(OH)—O—,—O—P(O)(H)—O—, —O—P(S)(H)—O—, —S—P(O)(H)—O, —S—P(S)(H)—O—,—S—P(O)(H)—S—, —O—P(S)(H)—S—. A preferred embodiment is —O—P(O)(OH)—O—.These candidates can be evaluated using methods analogous to thosedescribed above.

Acid Cleavable Linking Groups

In another embodiment, a cleavable linker comprises an acid cleavablelinking group. An acid cleavable linking group is a linking group thatis cleaved under acidic conditions. In preferred embodiments acidcleavable linking groups are cleaved in an acidic environment with a pHof about 6.5 or lower (e.g., about 6.0, 5.75, 5.5, 5.25, 5.0, or lower),or by agents such as enzymes that can act as a general acid. In a cell,specific low pH organelles, such as endosomes and lysosomes can providea cleaving environment for acid cleavable linking groups. Examples ofacid cleavable linking groups include but are not limited to hydrazones,esters, and esters of amino acids. Acid cleavable groups can have thegeneral formula —C═NN—, C(O)O, or —OC(O). A preferred embodiment is whenthe carbon attached to the oxygen of the ester (the alkoxy group) is anaryl group, substituted alkyl group, or tertiary alkyl group such asdimethyl pentyl or t-butyl. These candidates can be evaluated usingmethods analogous to those described above.

Ester-Based Cleavable Linking Groups

In another embodiment, a cleavable linker comprises an ester-basedcleavable linking group. An ester-based cleavable linking group iscleaved by enzymes such as esterases and amidases in cells. Examples ofester-based cleavable linking groups include but are not limited toesters of alkylene, alkenylene and alkynylene groups. Ester cleavablelinking groups have the general formula —C(O)O—, or —OC(O)—. Thesecandidates can be evaluated using methods analogous to those describedabove.

Peptide-Based Cleavable Linking Groups

In yet another embodiment, a cleavable linker comprises a peptide-basedcleavable linking group. A peptide-based cleavable linking group iscleaved by enzymes such as peptidases and proteases in cells.Peptide-based cleavable linking groups are peptide bonds formed betweenamino acids to yield oligopeptides (e.g., dipeptides, tripeptides etc.)and polypeptides. Peptide-based cleavable groups do not include theamide group (—C(O)NH—). The amide group can be formed between anyalkylene, alkenylene or alkynelene. A peptide bond is a special type ofamide bond formed between amino acids to yield peptides and proteins.The peptide based cleavage group is generally limited to the peptidebond (i.e., the amide bond) formed between amino acids yielding peptidesand proteins and does not include the entire amide functional group.Peptide-based cleavable linking groups have the general formula—NHCHRAC(O)NHCHRBC(O)— (SEQ ID NO: 13), where RA and RB are the R groupsof the two adjacent amino acids. These candidates can be evaluated usingmethods analogous to those described above.

Representative U.S. patents that teach the preparation of RNA conjugatesinclude, but are not limited to, U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,828,979; 4,948,882;5,218,105; 5,525,465; 5,541,313; 5,545,730; 5,552,538; 5,578,717,5,580,731; 5,591,584; 5,109,124; 5,118,802; 5,138,045; 5,414,077;5,486,603; 5,512,439; 5,578,718; 5,608,046; 4,587,044; 4,605,735;4,667,025; 4,762,779; 4,789,737; 4,824,941; 4,835,263; 4,876,335;4,904,582; 4,958,013; 5,082,830; 5,112,963; 5,214,136; 5,082,830;5,112,963; 5,214,136; 5,245,022; 5,254,469; 5,258,506; 5,262,536;5,272,250; 5,292,873; 5,317,098; 5,371,241, 5,391,723; 5,416,203,5,451,463; 5,510,475; 5,512,667; 5,514,785; 5,565,552; 5,567,810;5,574,142; 5,585,481; 5,587,371; 5,595,726; 5,597,696; 5,599,923;5,599,928 and 5,688,941; 6,294,664; 6,320,017; 6,576,752; 6,783,931;6,900,297; 7,037,646; 8,106,022, the entire contents of each of which isherein incorporated by reference.

It is not necessary for all positions in a given compound to beuniformly modified, and in fact more than one of the aforementionedmodifications may be incorporated in a single compound or even at asingle nucleoside within an iRNA. The present invention also includesiRNA compounds that are chimeric compounds.

“Chimeric” iRNA compounds, or “chimeras,” in the context of the presentinvention, are iRNA compounds, e.g., dsRNAs, that contain two or morechemically distinct regions, each made up of at least one monomer unit,i.e., a nucleotide in the case of a dsRNA compound. These iRNAstypically contain at least one region wherein the RNA is modified so asto confer upon the iRNA increased resistance to nuclease degradation,increased cellular uptake, and/or increased binding affinity for thetarget nucleic acid. An additional region of the iRNA may serve as asubstrate for enzymes capable of cleaving RNA:DNA or RNA:RNA hybrids. Byway of example, RNase H is a cellular endonuclease which cleaves the RNAstrand of an RNA:DNA duplex. Activation of RNase H, therefore, resultsin cleavage of the RNA target, thereby greatly enhancing the efficiencyof iRNA inhibition of gene expression. Consequently, comparable resultscan often be obtained with shorter iRNAs when chimeric dsRNAs are used,compared to phosphorothioate deoxy dsRNAs hybridizing to the same targetregion. Cleavage of the RNA target can be routinely detected by gelelectrophoresis and, if necessary, associated nucleic acid hybridizationtechniques known in the art.

In certain instances, the RNA of an iRNA can be modified by a non-ligandgroup. A number of non-ligand molecules have been conjugated to iRNAs inorder to enhance the activity, cellular distribution or cellular uptakeof the iRNA, and procedures for performing such conjugations areavailable in the scientific literature. Such non-ligand moieties haveincluded lipid moieties, such as cholesterol (Kubo, T. et al., Biochem.Biophys. Res. Comm., 2007, 365(1):54-61; Letsinger et al., Proc. Natl.Acad. Sci. USA, 1989, 86:6553), cholic acid (Manoharan et al., Bioorg.Med. Chem. Lett., 1994, 4:1053), a thioether, e.g., hexyl-S-tritylthiol(Manoharan et al., Ann. N.Y. Acad. Sci., 1992, 660:306; Manoharan etal., Bioorg. Med. Chem. Let., 1993, 3:2765), a thiocholesterol(Oberhauser et al., Nucl. Acids Res., 1992, 20:533), an aliphatic chain,e.g., dodecandiol or undecyl residues (Saison-Behmoaras et al., EMBO J.,1991, 10:111; Kabanov et al., FEBS Lett., 1990, 259:327; Svinarchuk etal., Biochimie, 1993, 75:49), a phospholipid, e.g.,di-hexadecyl-rac-glycerol or triethylammonium1,2-di-O-hexadecyl-rac-glycero-3-H-phosphonate (Manoharan et al.,Tetrahedron Lett., 1995, 36:3651; Shea et al., Nucl. Acids Res., 1990,18:3777), a polyamine or a polyethylene glycol chain (Manoharan et al.,Nucleosides & Nucleotides, 1995, 14:969), or adamantane acetic acid(Manoharan et al., Tetrahedron Lett., 1995, 36:3651), a palmityl moiety(Mishra et al., Biochim. Biophys. Acta, 1995, 1264:229), or anoctadecylamine or hexylamino-carbonyl-oxycholesterol moiety (Crooke etal., J. Pharmacol. Exp. Ther., 1996, 277:923). Representative UnitedStates patents that teach the preparation of such RNA conjugates havebeen listed above. Typical conjugation protocols involve the synthesisof an RNAs bearing an aminolinker at one or more positions of thesequence. The amino group is then reacted with the molecule beingconjugated using appropriate coupling or activating reagents. Theconjugation reaction may be performed either with the RNA still bound tothe solid support or following cleavage of the RNA, in solution phase.Purification of the RNA conjugate by HPLC typically affords the pureconjugate.

Delivery of iRNA

The delivery of an iRNA to a subject in need thereof can be achieved ina number of different ways. In vivo delivery can be performed directlyby administering a composition comprising an iRNA, e.g. a dsRNA, to asubject. Alternatively, delivery can be performed indirectly byadministering one or more vectors that encode and direct the expressionof the iRNA. These alternatives are discussed further below.

Direct Delivery

In general, any method of delivering a nucleic acid molecule can beadapted for use with an iRNA (see e.g., Akhtar S. and Julian R L. (1992)Trends Cell. Biol. 2(5):139-144 and WO94/02595, which are incorporatedherein by reference in their entireties). However, there are threefactors that are important to consider in order to successfully deliveran iRNA molecule in vivo: (a) biological stability of the deliveredmolecule, (2) preventing non-specific effects, and (3) accumulation ofthe delivered molecule in the target tissue. The non-specific effects ofan iRNA can be minimized by local administration, for example by directinjection or implantation into a tissue (as a non-limiting example, atumor) or topically administering the preparation. Local administrationto a treatment site maximizes local concentration of the agent, limitsthe exposure of the agent to systemic tissues that may otherwise beharmed by the agent or that may degrade the agent, and permits a lowertotal dose of the iRNA molecule to be administered. Several studies haveshown successful knockdown of gene products when an iRNA is administeredlocally. For example, intraocular delivery of a VEGF dsRNA byintravitreal injection in cynomolgus monkeys (Tolentino, M J., et al(2004) Retina 24:132-138) and subretinal injections in mice (Reich, SJ., et al (2003) Mol. Vis. 9:210-216) were both shown to preventneovascularization in an experimental model of age-related maculardegeneration. In addition, direct intratumoral injection of a dsRNA inmice reduces tumor volume (Pille, J., et al (2005) Mol. Ther.11:267-274) and can prolong survival of tumor-bearing mice (Kim, W J.,et al (2006) Mol. Ther. 14:343-350; Li, S., et al (2007) Mol. Ther.15:515-523). RNA interference has also shown success with local deliveryto the CNS by direct injection (Dorn, G., et al. (2004) Nucleic Acids32:e49; Tan, P H., et al (2005) Gene Ther. 12:59-66; Makimura, H., et al(2002) BMC Neurosci. 3:18; Shishkina, G T., et al (2004) Neuroscience129:521-528; Thakker, E R., et al (2004) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A.101:17270-17275; Akaneya, Y., et al (2005) J. Neurophysiol. 93:594-602)and to the lungs by intranasal administration (Howard, K A., et al(2006) Mol. Ther. 14:476-484; Zhang, X., et al (2004) J. Biol. Chem.279:10677-10684; Bitko, V., et al (2005) Nat. Med. 11:50-55). Foradministering an iRNA systemically for the treatment of a disease, theRNA can be modified or alternatively delivered using a drug deliverysystem; both methods act to prevent the rapid degradation of the dsRNAby endo- and exo-nucleases in vivo.

Modification of the RNA or the pharmaceutical carrier can also permittargeting of the iRNA composition to the target tissue and avoidundesirable off-target effects. iRNA molecules can be modified bychemical conjugation to other groups, e.g., a lipid or carbohydrategroup as described herein. Such conjugates can be used to target iRNA toparticular cells, e.g., liver cells, e.g., hepatocytes. For example,GalNAc conjugates or lipid (e.g., LNP) formulations can be used totarget iRNA to particular cells, e.g., liver cells, e.g., hepatocytes.

Lipophilic groups such as cholesterol to enhance cellular uptake andprevent degradation. For example, an iRNA directed against ApoBconjugated to a lipophilic cholesterol moiety was injected systemicallyinto mice and resulted in knockdown of apoB mRNA in both the liver andjejunum (Soutschek, J., et al (2004) Nature 432:173-178). Conjugation ofan iRNA to an aptamer has been shown to inhibit tumor growth and mediatetumor regression in a mouse model of prostate cancer (McNamara, J O., etal (2006) Nat. Biotechnol. 24:1005-1015). In an alternative embodiment,the iRNA can be delivered using drug delivery systems such as ananoparticle, a dendrimer, a polymer, liposomes, or a cationic deliverysystem. Positively charged cationic delivery systems facilitate bindingof an iRNA molecule (negatively charged) and also enhance interactionsat the negatively charged cell membrane to permit efficient uptake of aniRNA by the cell. Cationic lipids, dendrimers, or polymers can either bebound to an iRNA, or induced to form a vesicle or micelle (see e.g., KimS H., et al (2008) Journal of Controlled Release 129(2):107-116) thatencases an iRNA. The formation of vesicles or micelles further preventsdegradation of the iRNA when administered systemically. Methods formaking and administering cationic-iRNA complexes are well within theabilities of one skilled in the art (see e.g., Sorensen, D R., et al(2003) J. Mol. Biol 327:761-766; Verma, U N., et al (2003) Clin. CancerRes. 9:1291-1300; Arnold, A S et al (2007) J. Hypertens. 25:197-205,which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety). Somenon-limiting examples of drug delivery systems useful for systemicdelivery of iRNAs include DOTAP (Sorensen, D R., et al (2003), supra;Verma, U N., et al (2003), supra), Oligofectamine, “solid nucleic acidlipid particles” (Zimmermann, T S., et al (2006) Nature 441:111-114),cardiolipin (Chien, P Y., et al (2005) Cancer Gene Ther. 12:321-328;Pal, A., et al (2005) Int J. Oncol. 26:1087-1091), polyethyleneimine(Bonnet M E., et al (2008) Pharm. Res. August 16 Epub ahead of print;Aigner, A. (2006) J. Biomed. Biotechnol. 71659), Arg-Gly-Asp (RGD)peptides (Liu, S. (2006) Mol. Pharm. 3:472-487), and polyamidoamines(Tomalia, D A., et al (2007) Biochem. Soc. Trans. 35:61-67; Yoo, H., etal (1999) Pharm. Res. 16:1799-1804). In some embodiments, an iRNA formsa complex with cyclodextrin for systemic administration. Methods foradministration and pharmaceutical compositions of iRNAs andcyclodextrins can be found in U.S. Pat. No. 7,427,605, which is hereinincorporated by reference in its entirety.

Vector Encoded iRNAs

In another aspect, iRNA targeting the ALAS1 gene can be expressed fromtranscription units inserted into DNA or RNA vectors (see, e.g.,Couture, A, et al., TIG. (1996), 12:5-10; Skillern, A., et al.,International PCT Publication No. WO 00/22113, Conrad, International PCTPublication No. WO 00/22114, and Conrad, U.S. Pat. No. 6,054,299).Expression can be transient (on the order of hours to weeks) orsustained (weeks to months or longer), depending upon the specificconstruct used and the target tissue or cell type. These transgenes canbe introduced as a linear construct, a circular plasmid, or a viralvector, which can be an integrating or non-integrating vector. Thetransgene can also be constructed to permit it to be inherited as anextrachromosomal plasmid (Gassmann, et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA(1995) 92:1292).

The individual strand or strands of an iRNA can be transcribed from apromoter on an expression vector. Where two separate strands are to beexpressed to generate, for example, a dsRNA, two separate expressionvectors can be co-introduced (e.g., by transfection or infection) into atarget cell. Alternatively each individual strand of a dsRNA can betranscribed by promoters both of which are located on the sameexpression plasmid. In one embodiment, a dsRNA is expressed as aninverted repeat joined by a linker polynucleotide sequence such that thedsRNA has a stem and loop structure.

An iRNA expression vector is typically a DNA plasmid or viral vector. Anexpression vector compatible with eukaryotic cells, e.g., withvertebrate cells, can be used to produce recombinant constructs for theexpression of an iRNA as described herein. Eukaryotic cell expressionvectors are well known in the art and are available from a number ofcommercial sources. Typically, such vectors contain convenientrestriction sites for insertion of the desired nucleic acid segment.Delivery of iRNA expressing vectors can be systemic, such as byintravenous or intramuscular administration, by administration to targetcells ex-planted from the patient followed by reintroduction into thepatient, or by any other means that allows for introduction into adesired target cell.

An iRNA expression plasmid can be transfected into a target cell as acomplex with a cationic lipid carrier (e.g., Oligofectamine) or anon-cationic lipid-based carrier (e.g., Transit-TKO™). Multiple lipidtransfections for iRNA-mediated knockdowns targeting different regionsof a target RNA over a period of a week or more are also contemplated bythe invention. Successful introduction of vectors into host cells can bemonitored using various known methods. For example, transienttransfection can be signaled with a reporter, such as a fluorescentmarker, such as Green Fluorescent Protein (GFP). Stable transfection ofcells ex vivo can be ensured using markers that provide the transfectedcell with resistance to specific environmental factors (e.g.,antibiotics and drugs), such as hygromycin B resistance.

Viral vector systems which can be utilized with the methods andcompositions described herein include, but are not limited to, (a)adenovirus vectors; (b) retrovirus vectors, including but not limited tolentiviral vectors, moloney murine leukemia virus, etc.; (c)adeno-associated virus vectors; (d) herpes simplex virus vectors; (e)SV40 vectors; (f) polyoma virus vectors; (g) papilloma virus vectors;(h) picomavirus vectors; (i) pox virus vectors such as an orthopox,e.g., vaccinia virus vectors or avipox, e.g. canary pox or fowl pox; and(j) a helper-dependent or gutless adenovirus. Replication-defectiveviruses can also be advantageous. Different vectors will or will notbecome incorporated into the cells' genome. The constructs can includeviral sequences for transfection, if desired. Alternatively, theconstruct may be incorporated into vectors capable of episomalreplication, e.g EPV and EBV vectors. Constructs for the recombinantexpression of an iRNA will generally require regulatory elements, e.g.,promoters, enhancers, etc., to ensure the expression of the iRNA intarget cells. Other aspects to consider for vectors and constructs arefurther described below.

Vectors useful for the delivery of an iRNA will include regulatoryelements (promoter, enhancer, etc.) sufficient for expression of theiRNA in the desired target cell or tissue. The regulatory elements canbe chosen to provide either constitutive or regulated/inducibleexpression.

Expression of the iRNA can be precisely regulated, for example, by usingan inducible regulatory sequence that is sensitive to certainphysiological regulators, e.g., circulating glucose levels, or hormones(Docherty et al., 1994, FASEB J. 8:20-24). Such inducible expressionsystems, suitable for the control of dsRNA expression in cells or inmammals include, for example, regulation by ecdysone, by estrogen,progesterone, tetracycline, chemical inducers of dimerization, andisopropyl-β-D1-thiogalactopyranoside (IPTG). A person skilled in the artwould be able to choose the appropriate regulatory/promoter sequencebased on the intended use of the iRNA transgene.

In a specific embodiment, viral vectors that contain nucleic acidsequences encoding an iRNA can be used. For example, a retroviral vectorcan be used (see Miller et al., Meth. Enzymol. 217:581-599 (1993)).These retroviral vectors contain the components necessary for thecorrect packaging of the viral genome and integration into the host cellDNA. The nucleic acid sequences encoding an iRNA are cloned into one ormore vectors, which facilitates delivery of the nucleic acid into apatient. More detail about retroviral vectors can be found, for example,in Boesen et al., Biotherapy 6:291-302 (1994), which describes the useof a retroviral vector to deliver the mdrl gene to hematopoietic stemcells in order to make the stem cells more resistant to chemotherapy.Other references illustrating the use of retroviral vectors in genetherapy are: Clowes et al., J. Clin. Invest. 93:644-651 (1994); Kiem etal., Blood 83:1467-1473 (1994); Salmons and Gunzberg, Human Gene Therapy4:129-141 (1993); and Grossman and Wilson, Curr. Opin. in Genetics andDevel. 3:110-114 (1993). Lentiviral vectors contemplated for useinclude, for example, the HIV based vectors described in U.S. Pat. Nos.6,143,520; 5,665,557; and 5,981,276, which are herein incorporated byreference.

Adenoviruses are also contemplated for use in delivery of iRNAs.Adenoviruses are especially attractive vehicles, e.g., for deliveringgenes to respiratory epithelia. Adenoviruses naturally infectrespiratory epithelia where they cause a mild disease. Other targets foradenovirus-based delivery systems are liver, the central nervous system,endothelial cells, and muscle. Adenoviruses have the advantage of beingcapable of infecting non-dividing cells. Kozarsky and Wilson, CurrentOpinion in Genetics and Development 3:499-503 (1993) present a review ofadenovirus-based gene therapy. Bout et al., Human Gene Therapy 5:3-10(1994) demonstrated the use of adenovirus vectors to transfer genes tothe respiratory epithelia of rhesus monkeys. Other instances of the useof adenoviruses in gene therapy can be found in Rosenfeld et al.,Science 252:431-434 (1991); Rosenfeld et al., Cell 68:143-155 (1992);Mastrangeli et al., J. Clin. Invest. 91:225-234 (1993); PCT PublicationWO94/12649; and Wang, et al., Gene Therapy 2:775-783 (1995). A suitableAV vector for expressing an iRNA featured in the invention, a method forconstructing the recombinant AV vector, and a method for delivering thevector into target cells, are described in Xia H et al. (2002), Nat.Biotech. 20: 1006-1010.

Use of Adeno-associated virus (AAV) vectors is also contemplated (Walshet al., Proc. Soc. Exp. Biol. Med. 204:289-300 (1993); U.S. Pat. No.5,436,146). In one embodiment, the iRNA can be expressed as twoseparate, complementary single-stranded RNA molecules from a recombinantAAV vector having, for example, either the U6 or H1 RNA promoters, orthe cytomegalovirus (CMV) promoter. Suitable AAV vectors for expressingthe dsRNA featured in the invention, methods for constructing therecombinant AV vector, and methods for delivering the vectors intotarget cells are described in Samulski R et al. (1987), J. Virol. 61:3096-3101; Fisher K J et al. (1996), J. Virol, 70: 520-532; Samulski Ret al. (1989), J. Virol. 63: 3822-3826; U.S. Pat. No. 5,252,479; U.S.Pat. No. 5,139,941; International Patent Application No. WO 94/13788;and International Patent Application No. WO 93/24641, the entiredisclosures of which are herein incorporated by reference.

Another typical viral vector is a pox virus such as a vaccinia virus,for example an attenuated vaccinia such as Modified Virus Ankara (MVA)or NYVAC, an avipox such as fowl pox or canary pox.

The tropism of viral vectors can be modified by pseudotyping the vectorswith envelope proteins or other surface antigens from other viruses, orby substituting different viral capsid proteins, as appropriate. Forexample, lentiviral vectors can be pseudotyped with surface proteinsfrom vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV), rabies, Ebola, Mokola, and thelike. AAV vectors can be made to target different cells by engineeringthe vectors to express different capsid protein serotypes; see, e.g.,Rabinowitz J E et al. (2002), J Virol 76:791-801, the entire disclosureof which is herein incorporated by reference.

The pharmaceutical preparation of a vector can include the vector in anacceptable diluent, or can include a slow release matrix in which thegene delivery vehicle is imbedded. Alternatively, where the completegene delivery vector can be produced intact from recombinant cells,e.g., retroviral vectors, the pharmaceutical preparation can include oneor more cells which produce the gene delivery system.

III. PHARMACEUTICAL COMPOSITIONS CONTAINING IRNA

In one embodiment, the invention provides pharmaceutical compositionscontaining an iRNA, as described herein, and a pharmaceuticallyacceptable carrier. The pharmaceutical composition containing the iRNAis useful for treating a disease or disorder related to the expressionor activity of an ALAS1 gene (e.g., a disorder involving the porphyrinpathway). Such pharmaceutical compositions are formulated based on themode of delivery. For example, compositions can be formulated forsystemic administration via parenteral delivery, e.g., by intravenous(IV) delivery. In some embodiments, a composition provided herein (e.g.,an LNP formulation) is formulated for intravenous delivery. In someembodiments, a composition provided herein (e.g., a compositioncomprising a GalNAc conjugate) is formulated for subcutaneous delivery.

The pharmaceutical compositions featured herein are administered in adosage sufficient to inhibit expression of an ALAS1 gene. In general, asuitable dose of iRNA will be in the range of 0.01 to 200.0 milligramsper kilogram body weight of the recipient per day, generally in therange of 1 to 50 mg per kilogram body weight per day. For example, thedsRNA can be administered at 0.05 mg/kg, 0.5 mg/kg, 1 mg/kg, 1.5 mg/kg,2 mg/kg, 3 mg/kg, 10 mg/kg, 20 mg/kg, 30 mg/kg, 40 mg/kg, or 50 mg/kgper single dose. The pharmaceutical composition may be administered oncedaily, or the iRNA may be administered as two, three, or more sub-dosesat appropriate intervals throughout the day or even using continuousinfusion or delivery through a controlled release formulation. In thatcase, the iRNA contained in each sub-dose must be correspondinglysmaller in order to achieve the total daily dosage. The dosage unit canalso be compounded for delivery over several days, e.g., using aconventional sustained release formulation which provides sustainedrelease of the iRNA over a several day period. Sustained releaseformulations are well known in the art and are particularly useful fordelivery of agents at a particular site, such as can be used with theagents of the present invention. In this embodiment, the dosage unitcontains a corresponding multiple of the daily dose.

The effect of a single dose on ALAS1 levels can be long lasting, suchthat subsequent doses are administered at not more than 3, 4, or 5 dayintervals, or at not more than 1, 2, 3, or 4 week intervals.

The skilled artisan will appreciate that certain factors may influencethe dosage and timing required to effectively treat a subject, includingbut not limited to the severity of the disease or disorder, previoustreatments, the general health and/or age of the subject, and otherdiseases present. Moreover, treatment of a subject with atherapeutically effective amount of a composition can include a singletreatment or a series of treatments. Estimates of effective dosages andin vivo half-lives for the individual iRNAs encompassed by the inventioncan be made using conventional methodologies or on the basis of in vivotesting using an appropriate animal model, as described elsewhereherein.

Advances in mouse genetics have generated a number of mouse models forthe study of various human diseases, such as pathological processesrelated to ALAS1 expression (e.g., pathological processes involvingporphyrins or defects in the porphyrin pathway, such as, for example,porphyrias). Such models can be used for in vivo testing of iRNA, aswell as for determining a therapeutically effective dose and/or aneffective dosing regimen.

A suitable mouse model is, for example, a mouse containing a transgeneexpressing human ALAS1. Mice that have knock-in mutations (e.g.,mutations that are associated with acute hepatic porphyrias in humans)can be used to determine the therapeutically effective dosage and/orduration of administration of ALAS1 siRNA. The present invention alsoincludes pharmaceutical compositions and formulations that include theiRNA compounds featured in the invention. The pharmaceuticalcompositions of the present invention may be administered in a number ofways depending upon whether local or systemic treatment is desired andupon the area to be treated. Administration may be topical (e.g., by atransdermal patch), pulmonary, e.g., by inhalation or insufflation ofpowders or aerosols, including by nebulizer; intratracheal, intranasal,epidermal and transdermal, oral or parenteral. Parenteral administrationincludes intravenous, intraarterial, subcutaneous, intraperitoneal orintramuscular injection or infusion; subdermal, e.g., via an implanteddevice; or intracranial, e.g., by intraparenchymal, intrathecal orintraventricular, administration.

The iRNA can be delivered in a manner to target a particular tissue,such as a tissue that produces erythrocytes. For example, the iRNA canbe delivered to bone marrow, liver (e.g., hepatocyes of liver), lymphglands, spleen, lungs (e.g., pleura of lungs) or spine. In oneembodiment, the iRNA is delivered to bone marrow.

Pharmaceutical compositions and formulations for topical administrationmay include transdermal patches, ointments, lotions, creams, gels,drops, suppositories, sprays, liquids and powders. Conventionalpharmaceutical carriers, aqueous, powder or oily bases, thickeners andthe like may be necessary or desirable. Coated condoms, gloves and thelike may also be useful. Suitable topical formulations include those inwhich the iRNAs featured in the invention are in admixture with atopical delivery agent such as lipids, liposomes, fatty acids, fattyacid esters, steroids, chelating agents and surfactants. Suitable lipidsand liposomes include neutral (e.g., dioleoylphosphatidyl DOPEethanolamine, dimyristoylphosphatidyl choline DMPC,distearolyphosphatidyl choline) negative (e.g., dimyristoylphosphatidylglycerol DMPG) and cationic (e.g., dioleoyltetramethylaminopropyl DOTAPand dioleoylphosphatidyl ethanolamine DOTMA). iRNAs featured in theinvention may be encapsulated within liposomes or may form complexesthereto, in particular to cationic liposomes. Alternatively, iRNAs maybe complexed to lipids, in particular to cationic lipids. Suitable fattyacids and esters include but are not limited to arachidonic acid, oleicacid, eicosanoic acid, lauric acid, caprylic acid, capric acid, myristicacid, palmitic acid, stearic acid, linoleic acid, linolenic acid,dicaprate, tricaprate, monoolein, dilaurin, glyceryl 1-monocaprate,1-dodecylazacycloheptan-2-one, an acylcarnitine, an acylcholine, or aC₁₋₂₀ alkyl ester (e.g., isopropylmyristate IPM), monoglyceride,diglyceride or pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof. Topicalformulations are described in detail in U.S. Pat. No. 6,747,014, whichis incorporated herein by reference.

Liposomal Formulations

There are many organized surfactant structures besides microemulsionsthat have been studied and used for the formulation of drugs. Theseinclude monolayers, micelles, bilayers and vesicles. Vesicles, such asliposomes, have attracted great interest because of their specificityand the duration of action they offer from the standpoint of drugdelivery. As used in the present invention, the term “liposome” means avesicle composed of amphiphilic lipids arranged in a spherical bilayeror bilayers.

Liposomes are unilamellar or multilamellar vesicles which have amembrane formed from a lipophilic material and an aqueous interior. Theaqueous portion contains the composition to be delivered. Cationicliposomes possess the advantage of being able to fuse to the cell wall.Non-cationic liposomes, although not able to fuse as efficiently withthe cell wall, are taken up by macrophages in vivo.

In order to traverse intact mammalian skin, lipid vesicles must passthrough a series of fine pores, each with a diameter less than 50 nm,under the influence of a suitable transdermal gradient. Therefore, it isdesirable to use a liposome which is highly deformable and able to passthrough such fine pores.

Further advantages of liposomes include; liposomes obtained from naturalphospholipids are biocompatible and biodegradable; liposomes canincorporate a wide range of water and lipid soluble drugs; liposomes canprotect encapsulated drugs in their internal compartments frommetabolism and degradation (Rosoff, in Pharmaceutical Dosage Forms,Lieberman, Rieger and Banker (Eds.), 1988, Marcel Dekker, Inc., NewYork, N.Y., volume 1, p. 245). Important considerations in thepreparation of liposome formulations are the lipid surface charge,vesicle size and the aqueous volume of the liposomes.

Liposomes are useful for the transfer and delivery of active ingredientsto the site of action. Because the liposomal membrane is structurallysimilar to biological membranes, when liposomes are applied to a tissue,the liposomes start to merge with the cellular membranes and as themerging of the liposome and cell progresses, the liposomal contents areemptied into the cell where the active agent may act.

Liposomal formulations have been the focus of extensive investigation asthe mode of delivery for many drugs. There is growing evidence that fortopical administration, liposomes present several advantages over otherformulations. Such advantages include reduced side-effects related tohigh systemic absorption of the administered drug, increasedaccumulation of the administered drug at the desired target, and theability to administer a wide variety of drugs, both hydrophilic andhydrophobic, into the skin.

Several reports have detailed the ability of liposomes to deliver agentsincluding high-molecular weight DNA into the skin. Compounds includinganalgesics, antibodies, hormones and high-molecular weight DNAs havebeen administered to the skin. The majority of applications resulted inthe targeting of the upper epidermis

Liposomes fall into two broad classes. Cationic liposomes are positivelycharged liposomes which interact with the negatively charged DNAmolecules to form a stable complex. The positively charged DNA/liposomecomplex binds to the negatively charged cell surface and is internalizedin an endosome. Due to the acidic pH within the endosome, the liposomesare ruptured, releasing their contents into the cell cytoplasm (Wang etal., Biochem. Biophys. Res. Commun., 1987, 147, 980-985).

Liposomes which are pH-sensitive or negatively-charged, entrap DNArather than complex with it. Since both the DNA and the lipid aresimilarly charged, repulsion rather than complex formation occurs.Nevertheless, some DNA is entrapped within the aqueous interior of theseliposomes. pH-sensitive liposomes have been used to deliver DNA encodingthe thymidine kinase gene to cell monolayers in culture. Expression ofthe exogenous gene was detected in the target cells (Zhou et al.,Journal of Controlled Release, 1992, 19, 269-274).

One major type of liposomal composition includes phospholipids otherthan naturally-derived phosphatidylcholine. Neutral liposomecompositions, for example, can be formed from dimyristoylphosphatidylcholine (DMPC) or dipalmitoyl phosphatidylcholine (DPPC).Anionic liposome compositions generally are formed from dimyristoylphosphatidylglycerol, while anionic fusogenic liposomes are formedprimarily from dioleoyl phosphatidylethanolamine (DOPE). Another type ofliposomal composition is formed from phosphatidylcholine (PC) such as,for example, soybean PC, and egg PC. Another type is formed frommixtures of phospholipid and/or phosphatidylcholine and/or cholesterol.

Several studies have assessed the topical delivery of liposomal drugformulations to the skin. Application of liposomes containing interferonto guinea pig skin resulted in a reduction of skin herpes sores whiledelivery of interferon via other means (e.g., as a solution or as anemulsion) were ineffective (Weiner et al., Journal of Drug Targeting,1992, 2, 405-410). Further, an additional study tested the efficacy ofinterferon administered as part of a liposomal formulation to theadministration of interferon using an aqueous system, and concluded thatthe liposomal formulation was superior to aqueous administration (duPlessis et al., Antiviral Research, 1992, 18, 259-265).

Non-ionic liposomal systems have also been examined to determine theirutility in the delivery of drugs to the skin, in particular systemscomprising non-ionic surfactant and cholesterol. Non-ionic liposomalformulations comprising Novasome™ I (glyceryldilaurate/cholesterol/polyoxyethylene-10-stearyl ether) and Novasome™ II(glyceryl distearate/cholesterol/polyoxyethylene-10-stearyl ether) wereused to deliver cyclosporin-A into the dermis of mouse skin. Resultsindicated that such non-ionic liposomal systems were effective infacilitating the deposition of cyclosporin-A into different layers ofthe skin (Hu et al. S. T. P. Pharma. Sci., 1994, 4, 6, 466).

Liposomes also include “sterically stabilized” liposomes, a term which,as used herein, refers to liposomes comprising one or more specializedlipids that, when incorporated into liposomes, result in enhancedcirculation lifetimes relative to liposomes lacking such specializedlipids. Examples of sterically stabilized liposomes are those in whichpart of the vesicle-forming lipid portion of the liposome (A) comprisesone or more glycolipids, such as monosialoganglioside G_(M1), or (B) isderivatized with one or more hydrophilic polymers, such as apolyethylene glycol (PEG) moiety. While not wishing to be bound by anyparticular theory, it is thought in the art that, at least forsterically stabilized liposomes containing gangliosides, sphingomyelin,or PEG-derivatized lipids, the enhanced circulation half-life of thesesterically stabilized liposomes derives from a reduced uptake into cellsof the reticuloendothelial system (RES) (Allen et al., FEBS Letters,1987, 223, 42; Wu et al., Cancer Research, 1993, 53, 3765).

Various liposomes comprising one or more glycolipids are known in theart. Papahadjopoulos et al. (Ann. N.Y. Acad. Sci., 1987, 507, 64)reported the ability of monosialoganglioside GM1, galactocerebrosidesulfate and phosphatidylinositol to improve blood half-lives ofliposomes. These findings were expounded upon by Gabizon et al. (Proc.Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A., 1988, 85, 6949). U.S. Pat. No. 4,837,028 and WO88/04924, both to Allen et al., disclose liposomes comprising (1)sphingomyelin and (2) the ganglioside GM1 or a galactocerebrosidesulfate ester. U.S. Pat. No. 5,543,152 (Webb et al.) discloses liposomescomprising sphingomyelin. Liposomes comprising1,2-sn-dimyristoylphosphatidylcholine are disclosed in WO 97/13499 (Limet al).

Many liposomes comprising lipids derivatized with one or morehydrophilic polymers, and methods of preparation thereof, are known inthe art. Sunamoto et al. (Bull. Chem. Soc. Jpn., 1980, 53, 2778)described liposomes comprising a nonionic detergent, 2C_(1215G), thatcontains a PEG moiety. Illum et al. (FEBS Lett., 1984, 167, 79) notedthat hydrophilic coating of polystyrene particles with polymeric glycolsresults in significantly enhanced blood half-lives. Syntheticphospholipids modified by the attachment of carboxylic groups ofpolyalkylene glycols (e.g., PEG) are described by Sears (U.S. Pat. Nos.4,426,330 and 4,534,899). Klibanov et al. (FEBS Lett., 1990, 268, 235)described experiments demonstrating that liposomes comprisingphosphatidylethanolamine (PE) derivatized with PEG or PEG stearate havesignificant increases in blood circulation half-lives. Blume et al.(Biochimica et Biophysica Acta, 1990, 1029, 91) extended suchobservations to other PEG-derivatized phospholipids, e.g., DSPE-PEG,formed from the combination of distearoylphosphatidylethanolamine (DSPE)and PEG. Liposomes having covalently bound PEG moieties on theirexternal surface are described in European Patent No. EP 0 445 131 B1and WO 90/04384 to Fisher. Liposome compositions containing 1-20 molepercent of PE derivatized with PEG, and methods of use thereof, aredescribed by Woodle et al. (U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,013,556 and 5,356,633) andMartin et al. (U.S. Pat. No. 5,213,804 and European Patent No. EP 0 496813 B1). Liposomes comprising a number of other lipid-polymer conjugatesare disclosed in WO 91/05545 and U.S. Pat. No. 5,225,212 (both to Martinet al.) and in WO 94/20073 (Zalipsky et al.) Liposomes comprisingPEG-modified ceramide lipids are described in WO 96/10391 (Choi et al).U.S. Pat. No. 5,540,935 (Miyazaki et al.) and U.S. Pat. No. 5,556,948(Tagawa et al.) describe PEG-containing liposomes that can be furtherderivatized with functional moieties on their surfaces.

A number of liposomes comprising nucleic acids are known in the art. WO96/40062 to Thierry et al. discloses methods for encapsulating highmolecular weight nucleic acids in liposomes. U.S. Pat. No. 5,264,221 toTagawa et al. discloses protein-bonded liposomes and asserts that thecontents of such liposomes may include a dsRNA. U.S. Pat. No. 5,665,710to Rahman et al. describes certain methods of encapsulatingoligodeoxynucleotides in liposomes. WO 97/04787 to Love et al. disclosesliposomes comprising dsRNAs targeted to the raf gene.

Transfersomes are yet another type of liposomes, and are highlydeformable lipid aggregates which are attractive candidates for drugdelivery vehicles. Transfersomes may be described as lipid dropletswhich are so highly deformable that they are easily able to penetratethrough pores which are smaller than the droplet. Transfersomes areadaptable to the environment in which they are used, e.g., they areself-optimizing (adaptive to the shape of pores in the skin),self-repairing, frequently reach their targets without fragmenting, andoften self-loading. To make transfersomes it is possible to add surfaceedge-activators, usually surfactants, to a standard liposomalcomposition. Transfersomes have been used to deliver serum albumin tothe skin. The transfersome-mediated delivery of serum albumin has beenshown to be as effective as subcutaneous injection of a solutioncontaining serum albumin.

Surfactants find wide application in formulations such as emulsions(including microemulsions) and liposomes. The most common way ofclassifying and ranking the properties of the many different types ofsurfactants, both natural and synthetic, is by the use of thehydrophile/lipophile balance (HLB). The nature of the hydrophilic group(also known as the “head”) provides the most useful means forcategorizing the different surfactants used in formulations (Rieger, inPharmaceutical Dosage Forms, Marcel Dekker, Inc., New York, N.Y., 1988,p. 285).

If the surfactant molecule is not ionized, it is classified as anonionic surfactant. Nonionic surfactants find wide application inpharmaceutical and cosmetic products and are usable over a wide range ofpH values. In general their HLB values range from 2 to about 18depending on their structure. Nonionic surfactants include nonionicesters such as ethylene glycol esters, propylene glycol esters, glycerylesters, polyglyceryl esters, sorbitan esters, sucrose esters, andethoxylated esters. Nonionic alkanolamides and ethers such as fattyalcohol ethoxylates, propoxylated alcohols, and ethoxylated/propoxylatedblock polymers are also included in this class. The polyoxyethylenesurfactants are the most popular members of the nonionic surfactantclass.

If the surfactant molecule carries a negative charge when it isdissolved or dispersed in water, the surfactant is classified asanionic. Anionic surfactants include carboxylates such as soaps, acyllactylates, acyl amides of amino acids, esters of sulfuric acid such asalkyl sulfates and ethoxylated alkyl sulfates, sulfonates such as alkylbenzene sulfonates, acyl isethionates, acyl taurates andsulfosuccinates, and phosphates. The most important members of theanionic surfactant class are the alkyl sulfates and the soaps.

If the surfactant molecule carries a positive charge when it isdissolved or dispersed in water, the surfactant is classified ascationic. Cationic surfactants include quaternary ammonium salts andethoxylated amines. The quaternary ammonium salts are the most usedmembers of this class.

If the surfactant molecule has the ability to carry either a positive ornegative charge, the surfactant is classified as amphoteric. Amphotericsurfactants include acrylic acid derivatives, substituted alkylamides,N-alkylbetaines and phosphatides.

The use of surfactants in drug products, formulations and in emulsionshas been reviewed (Rieger, in Pharmaceutical Dosage Forms, MarcelDekker, Inc., New York, N.Y., 1988, p. 285).

Nucleic Acid Lipid Particles

In one embodiment, an ALAS1 dsRNA featured in the invention is fullyencapsulated in the lipid formulation, e.g., to form a SPLP, pSPLP,SNALP, or other nucleic acid-lipid particle. As used herein, the term“SNALP” refers to a stable nucleic acid-lipid particle, including SPLP.As used herein, the term “SPLP” refers to a nucleic acid-lipid particlecomprising plasmid DNA encapsulated within a lipid vesicle. SNALPs andSPLPs typically contain a cationic lipid, a non-cationic lipid, and alipid that prevents aggregation of the particle (e.g., a PEG-lipidconjugate). SNALPs and SPLPs are extremely useful for systemicapplications, as they exhibit extended circulation lifetimes followingintravenous (i.v.) injection and accumulate at distal sites (e.g., sitesphysically separated from the administration site). SPLPs include“pSPLP,” which include an encapsulated condensing agent-nucleic acidcomplex as set forth in PCT Publication No. WO 00/03683. The particlesof the present invention typically have a mean diameter of about 50 nmto about 150 nm, more typically about 60 nm to about 130 nm, moretypically about 70 nm to about 110 nm, most typically about 70 nm toabout 90 nm, and are substantially nontoxic. In addition, the nucleicacids when present in the nucleic acid-lipid particles of the presentinvention are resistant in aqueous solution to degradation with anuclease. Nucleic acid-lipid particles and their method of preparationare disclosed in, e.g., U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,976,567; 5,981,501; 6,534,484;6,586,410; 6,815,432; and PCT Publication No. WO 96/40964.

In one embodiment, the lipid to drug ratio (mass/mass ratio) (e.g.,lipid to dsRNA ratio) will be in the range of from about 1:1 to about50:1, from about 1:1 to about 25:1, from about 3:1 to about 15:1, fromabout 4:1 to about 10:1, from about 5:1 to about 9:1, or about 6:1 toabout 9:1.

The cationic lipid may be, for example, N,N-dioleyl-N,N-dimethylammoniumchloride (DODAC), N,N-distearyl-N,N-dimethylammonium bromide (DDAB),N—(I-(2,3-dioleoyloxy)propyl)-N,N,N-trimethylammonium chloride (DOTAP),N—(I-(2,3-dioleyloxy)propyl)-N,N,N-trimethylammonium chloride (DOTMA),N,N-dimethyl-2,3-dioleyloxy)propylamine (DODMA),1,2-DiLinoleyloxy-N,N-dimethylaminopropane (DLinDMA),1,2-Dilinolenyloxy-N,N-dimethylaminopropane (DLenDMA),1,2-Dilinoleylcarbamoyloxy-3-dimethylaminopropane (DLin-C-DAP),1,2-Dilinoleyoxy-3-(dimethylamino)acetoxypropane (DLin-DAC),1,2-Dilinoleyoxy-3-morpholinopropane (DLin-MA),1,2-Dilinoleoyl-3-dimethylaminopropane (DLinDAP),1,2-Dilinoleylthio-3-dimethylaminopropane (DLin-S-DMA),1-Linoleoyl-2-linoleyloxy-3-dimethylaminopropane (DLin-2-DMAP),1,2-Dilinoleyloxy-3-trimethylaminopropane chloride salt (DLin-TMA.Cl),1,2-Dilinoleoyl-3-trimethylaminopropane chloride salt (DLin-TAP.Cl),1,2-Dilinoleyloxy-3-(N-methylpiperazino)propane (DLin-MPZ), or3-(N,N-Dilinoleylamino)-1,2-propanediol (DLinAP),3-(N,N-Dioleylamino)-1,2-propanedio (DOAP),1,2-Dilinoleyloxo-3-(2-N,N-dimethylamino)ethoxypropane (DLin-EG-DMA),1,2-Dilinolenyloxy-N,N-dimethylaminopropane (DLinDMA),2,2-Dilinoleyl-4-dimethylaminomethyl-[1,3]-dioxolane (DLin-K-DMA) oranalogs thereof,(3aR,5s,6aS)—N,N-dimethyl-2,2-di((9Z,12Z)-octadeca-9,12-dienyl)tetrahydro-3aH-cyclopenta[d][1,3]dioxol-5-amine(ALN100), (6Z,9Z,28Z,31Z)-heptatriaconta-6,9,28,31-tetraen-19-yl4-(dimethylamino)butanoate (MC3),1,1′-(2-(4-(2-((2-(bis(2-hydroxydodecyl)amino)ethyl)(2-hydroxydodecyl)amino)ethyl)piperazin-1-yl)ethylazanediyl)didodecan-2-ol(Tech G1), or a mixture thereof. The cationic lipid may comprise fromabout 20 mol % to about 50 mol % or about 40 mol % of the total lipidpresent in the particle.

In another embodiment, the compound2,2-Dilinoleyl-4-dimethylaminoethyl-[1,3]-dioxolane can be used toprepare lipid-siRNA nanoparticles. Synthesis of2,2-Dilinoleyl-4-dimethylaminoethyl-[1,3]-dioxolane is described in U.S.provisional patent application No. 61/107,998 filed on Oct. 23, 2008,which is herein incorporated by reference.

In one embodiment, the lipid-siRNA particle includes 40% 2,2-Dilinoleyl-4-dimethylaminoethyl-[1,3]-dioxolane:10% DSPC:40%Cholesterol:10% PEG-C-DOMG (mole percent) with a particle size of63.0±20 nm and a 0.027 siRNA/Lipid Ratio.

The non-cationic lipid may be an anionic lipid or a neutral lipidincluding, but not limited to, distearoylphosphatidylcholine (DSPC),dioleoylphosphatidylcholine (DOPC), dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine(DPPC), dioleoylphosphatidylglycerol (DOPG),dipalmitoylphosphatidylglycerol (DPPG),dioleoyl-phosphatidylethanolamine (DOPE),palmitoyloleoylphosphatidylcholine (POPC),palmitoyloleoylphosphatidylethanolamine (POPE),dioleoyl-phosphatidylethanolamine4-(N-maleimidomethyl)-cyclohexane-1-carboxylate (DOPE-mal), dipalmitoylphosphatidyl ethanolamine (DPPE), dimyristoylphosphoethanolamine (DMPE),distearoyl-phosphatidyl-ethanolamine (DSPE), 16-O-monomethyl PE,16-O-dimethyl PE, 18-1-trans PE,1-stearoyl-2-oleoyl-phosphatidyethanolamine (SOPE), cholesterol, or amixture thereof. The non-cationic lipid may be from about 5 mol % toabout 90 mol %, about 10 mol %, or about 58 mol % if cholesterol isincluded, of the total lipid present in the particle.

The conjugated lipid that inhibits aggregation of particles may be, forexample, a polyethyleneglycol (PEG)-lipid including, without limitation,a PEG-diacylglycerol (DAG), a PEG-dialkyloxypropyl (DAA), aPEG-phospholipid, a PEG-ceramide (Cer), or a mixture thereof. ThePEG-DAA conjugate may be, for example, a PEG-dilauryloxypropyl (Ci₂), aPEG-dimyristyloxypropyl (Ci₄), a PEG-dipalmityloxypropyl (Ci₆), or aPEG-distearyloxypropyl (C]₈). The conjugated lipid that preventsaggregation of particles may be from 0 mol % to about 20 mol % or about2 mol % of the total lipid present in the particle.

In some embodiments, the nucleic acid-lipid particle further includescholesterol at, e.g., about 10 mol % to about 60 mol % or about 48 mol %of the total lipid present in the particle.

In some embodiments, the iRNA is formulated in a lipid nanoparticle(LNP).

LNP01

In one embodiment, the lipidoid ND98.4HCl (MW 1487) (see U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 12/056,230, filed Mar. 26, 2008, which is hereinincorporated by reference), Cholesterol (Sigma-Aldrich), andPEG-Ceramide C16 (Avanti Polar Lipids) can be used to preparelipid-dsRNA nanoparticles (e.g., LNP01 particles). Stock solutions ofeach in ethanol can be prepared as follows: ND98, 133 mg/ml;Cholesterol, 25 mg/ml, PEG-Ceramide C16, 100 mg/ml. The ND98,Cholesterol, and PEG-Ceramide C16 stock solutions can then be combinedin a, e.g., 42:48:10 molar ratio. The combined lipid solution can bemixed with aqueous dsRNA (e.g., in sodium acetate pH 5) such that thefinal ethanol concentration is about 35-45% and the final sodium acetateconcentration is about 100-300 mM. Lipid-dsRNA nanoparticles typicallyform spontaneously upon mixing. Depending on the desired particle sizedistribution, the resultant nanoparticle mixture can be extruded througha polycarbonate membrane (e.g., 100 nm cut-off) using, for example, athermobarrel extruder, such as Lipex Extruder (Northern Lipids, Inc). Insome cases, the extrusion step can be omitted. Ethanol removal andsimultaneous buffer exchange can be accomplished by, for example,dialysis or tangential flow filtration. Buffer can be exchanged with,for example, phosphate buffered saline (PBS) at about pH 7, e.g., aboutpH 6.9, about pH 7.0, about pH 7.1, about pH 7.2, about pH 7.3, or aboutpH 7.4.

LNP01 formulations are described, e.g., in International ApplicationPublication No. WO 2008/042973, which is hereby incorporated byreference.

Additional exemplary lipid-dsRNA formulations are provided in thefollowing table.

TABLE 10 Examplary lipid formulations cationic lipid/non-cationiclipid/cholesterol/PEG-lipid Cationic Lipid conjugate Lipid:siRNA ratioSNALP 1,2-Dilinolenyloxy-N,N- DLinDMA/DPPC/Cholesterol/PEG-cDMAdimethylaminopropane (DLinDMA) (57.1/7.1/34.4/1.4) lipid:siRNA ~7:1S-XTC 2,2-Dilinoleyl-4-dimethylaminoethyl- XTC/DPPC/Cholesterol/PEG-cDMA[1,3]-dioxolane (XTC) 57.1/7.1/34.4/1.4 lipid:siRNA ~7:1 LNP052,2-Dilinoleyl-4-dimethylaminoethyl- XTC/DSPC/Cholesterol/PEG-DMG[1,3]-dioxolane (XTC) 57.5/7.5/31.5/3.5 lipid:siRNA ~6:1 LNP062,2-Dilinoleyl-4-dimethylaminoethyl- XTC/DSPC/Cholesterol/PEG-DMG[1,3]-dioxolane (XTC) 57.5/7.5/31.5/3.5 lipid:siRNA ~11:1 LNP072,2-Dilinoleyl-4-dimethylaminoethyl- XTC/DSPC/Cholesterol/PEG-DMG[1,3]-dioxolane (XTC) 60/7.5/31/1.5, lipid:siRNA ~6:1 LNP082,2-Dilinoleyl-4-dimethylaminoethyl- XTC/DSPC/Cholesterol/PEG-DMG[1,3]-dioxolane (XTC) 60/7.5/31/1.5, lipid:siRNA ~11:1 LNP092,2-Dilinoleyl-4-dimethylaminoethyl- XTC/DSPC/Cholesterol/PEG-DMG[1,3]-dioxolane (XTC) 50/10/38.5/1.5 Lipid:siRNA 10:1 LNP10(3aR,5s,6aS)-N,N-dimethyl-2,2- ALN100/DSPC/Cholesterol/PEG-DMG di((9Z,12Z)-octadeca-9,12- 50/10/38.5/1.5 dienyl)tetrahydro-3aH- Lipid:siRNA10:1 cyclopenta[d][1,3]dioxol-5-amine (ALN100) LNP11(6Z,9Z,28Z,31Z)-heptatriaconta- MC-3/DSPC/Cholesterol/PEG-DMG6,9,28,31-tetraen-19-yl 4- 50/10/38.5/1.5 (dimethylamino)butanoate (MC3)Lipid:siRNA 10:1 LNP12 1,1′-(2-(4-(2-((2-(bis(2-C12-200/DSPC/Cholesterol/PEG-DMG hydroxydodecyl)amino)ethyl)(2-50/10/38.5/1.5 hydroxydodecyl)amino)ethyl)piperazin- Lipid:siRNA 10:11-yl)ethylazanediyl)didodecan-2-ol (C12-200) LNP13 XTCXTC/DSPC/Chol/PEG-DMG 50/10/38.5/1.5 Lipid:siRNA: 33:1 LNP14 MC3MC3/DSPC/Chol/PEG-DMG 40/15/40/5 Lipid:siRNA: 11:1 LNP15 MC3MC3/DSPC/Chol/PEG-DSG/GalNAc-PEG-DSG 50/10/35/4.5/0.5 Lipid:siRNA: 11:1LNP16 MC3 MC3/DSPC/Chol/PEG-DMG 50/10/38.5/1.5 Lipid:siRNA: 7:1 LNP17MC3 MC3/DSPC/Chol/PEG-DSG 50/10/38.5/1.5 Lipid:siRNA: 10:1 LNP18 MC3MC3/DSPC/Chol/PEG-DMG 50/10/38.5/1.5 Lipid:siRNA: 12:1 LNP19 MC3MC3/DSPC/Chol/PEG-DMG 50/10/35/5 Lipid:siRNA: 8:1 LNP20 MC3MC3/DSPC/Chol/PEG-DPG 50/10/38.5/1.5 Lipid:siRNA: 10:1 LNP21 C12-200C12-200/DSPC/Chol/PEG-DSG 50/10/38.5/1.5 Lipid:siRNA: 7:1 LNP22 XTCXTC/DSPC/Chol/PEG-DSG 50/10/38.5/1.5 Lipid:siRNA: 10:1DSPC: distearoylphosphatidylcholineDPPC: dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholinePEG-DMG: PEG-didimyristoyl glycerol (C14-PEG, or PEG-C14) (PEG with avgmol wt of2000)PEG-DSG: PEG-distyryl glycerol (C18-PEG, or PEG-C18) (PEG with avg molwt of 2000)PEG-cDMA: PEG-carbamoyl-1,2-dimyristyloxypropylamine (PEG with avg molwt of 2000)

SNALP (1,2-Dilinolenyloxy-N,N-dimethylaminopropane (DLinDMA)) comprisingformulations are described in International Publication No.WO2009/127060, filed Apr. 15, 2009, which is hereby incorporated byreference.

XTC comprising formulations are described, e.g., in U.S. ProvisionalSer. No. 61/148,366, filed Jan. 29, 2009; U.S. Provisional Ser. No.61/156,851, filed Mar. 2, 2009; U.S. Provisional Serial No. filed Jun.10, 2009; U.S. Provisional Ser. No. 61/228,373, filed Jul. 24, 2009;U.S. Provisional Ser. No. 61/239,686, filed Sep. 3, 2009, andInternational Application No. PCT/US2010/022614, filed Jan. 29, 2010,which are hereby incorporated by reference.

MC3 comprising formulations are described, e.g., in U.S. ProvisionalSer. No. 61/244,834, filed Sep. 22, 2009, U.S. Provisional Ser. No.61/185,800, filed Jun. 10, 2009, and International Application No.PCT/US10/28224, filed Jun. 10, 2010, which are hereby incorporated byreference.

ALNY-100 comprising formulations are described, e.g., Internationalpatent application number PCT/US09/63933, filed on Nov. 10, 2009, whichis hereby incorporated by reference.

C12-200 comprising formulations are described in U.S. Provisional Ser.No. 61/175,770, filed May 5, 2009 and International Application No.PCT/US10/33777, filed May 5, 2010, which are hereby incorporated byreference.

Synthesis of Cationic Lipids

Any of the compounds, e.g., cationic lipids and the like, used in thenucleic acid-lipid particles featured in the invention may be preparedby known organic synthesis techniques, including the methods describedin more detail in the Examples. All substituents are as defined belowunless indicated otherwise.

“Alkyl” means a straight chain or branched, noncyclic or cyclic,saturated aliphatic hydrocarbon containing from 1 to 24 carbon atoms.Representative saturated straight chain alkyls include methyl, ethyl,n-propyl, n-butyl, n-pentyl, n-hexyl, and the like; while saturatedbranched alkyls include isopropyl, sec-butyl, isobutyl, tert-butyl,isopentyl, and the like. Representative saturated cyclic alkyls includecyclopropyl, cyclobutyl, cyclopentyl, cyclohexyl, and the like; whileunsaturated cyclic alkyls include cyclopentenyl and cyclohexenyl, andthe like.

“Alkenyl” means an alkyl, as defined above, containing at least onedouble bond between adjacent carbon atoms. Alkenyls include both cis andtrans isomers. Representative straight chain and branched alkenylsinclude ethylenyl, propylenyl, 1-butenyl, 2-butenyl, isobutylenyl,1-pentenyl, 2-pentenyl, 3-methyl-1-butenyl, 2-methyl-2-butenyl,2,3-dimethyl-2-butenyl, and the like.

“Alkynyl” means any alkyl or alkenyl, as defined above, whichadditionally contains at least one triple bond between adjacent carbons.Representative straight chain and branched alkynyls include acetylenyl,propynyl, 1-butynyl, 2-butynyl, 1-pentynyl, 2-pentynyl, 3-methyl-1butynyl, and the like.

“Acyl” means any alkyl, alkenyl, or alkynyl wherein the carbon at thepoint of attachment is substituted with an oxo group, as defined below.For example, —C(═O)alkyl, —C(═O)alkenyl, and —C(═O)alkynyl are acylgroups.

“Heterocycle” means a 5- to 7-membered monocyclic, or 7- to 10-memberedbicyclic, heterocyclic ring which is either saturated, unsaturated, oraromatic, and which contains from 1 or 2 heteroatoms independentlyselected from nitrogen, oxygen and sulfur, and wherein the nitrogen andsulfur heteroatoms may be optionally oxidized, and the nitrogenheteroatom may be optionally quaternized, including bicyclic rings inwhich any of the above heterocycles are fused to a benzene ring. Theheterocycle may be attached via any heteroatom or carbon atom.Heterocycles include heteroaryls as defined below. Heterocycles includemorpholinyl, pyrrolidinonyl, pyrrolidinyl, piperidinyl, piperizynyl,hydantoinyl, valerolactamyl, oxiranyl, oxetanyl, tetrahydrofuranyl,tetrahydropyranyl, tetrahydropyridinyl, tetrahydroprimidinyl,tetrahydrothiophenyl, tetrahydrothiopyranyl, tetrahydropyrimidinyl,tetrahydrothiophenyl, tetrahydrothiopyranyl, and the like.

The terms “optionally substituted alkyl”, “optionally substitutedalkenyl”, “optionally substituted alkynyl”, “optionally substitutedacyl”, and “optionally substituted heterocycle” means that, whensubstituted, at least one hydrogen atom is replaced with a substituent.In the case of an oxo substituent (═O) two hydrogen atoms are replaced.In this regard, substituents include oxo, halogen, heterocycle, —CN,—OR^(x), —NR^(x)R^(y), —NR^(x)C(═O)R^(y), —NR^(x)SO₂R^(y), —C(═O)R^(x),—C(═O)OR^(x), —C(═O)NR^(x)R^(y), —SO_(n)R^(x) and —SO_(n)NR^(x)R^(y),wherein n is 0, 1 or 2, R^(x) and R^(y) are the same or different andindependently hydrogen, alkyl or heterocycle, and each of said alkyl andheterocycle substituents may be further substituted with one or more ofoxo, halogen, —OH, —CN, alkyl, —OR^(x), heterocycle, —NR^(x)R^(y),—NR^(x)C(═O)R^(y), —NR^(x)SO₂R^(y), —C(═O)R^(x), —C(═O)OR^(x),—C(═O)NR^(x)R^(y), —SO_(n)R^(x) and —SO_(n)NR^(x)R^(y).

“Halogen” means fluoro, chloro, bromo and iodo.

In some embodiments, the methods featured in the invention may requirethe use of protecting groups. Protecting group methodology is well knownto those skilled in the art (see, for example, PROTECTIVE GROUPS INORGANIC SYNTHESIS, Green, T. W. et al., Wiley-Interscience, New YorkCity, 1999). Briefly, protecting groups within the context of thisinvention are any group that reduces or eliminates unwanted reactivityof a functional group. A protecting group can be added to a functionalgroup to mask its reactivity during certain reactions and then removedto reveal the original functional group. In some embodiments an “alcoholprotecting group” is used. An “alcohol protecting group” is any groupwhich decreases or eliminates unwanted reactivity of an alcoholfunctional group. Protecting groups can be added and removed usingtechniques well known in the art.

Synthesis of Formula A

In one embodiments, nucleic acid-lipid particles featured in theinvention are formulated using a cationic lipid of formula A:

where R1 and R2 are independently alkyl, alkenyl or alkynyl, each can beoptionally substituted, and R3 and R4 are independently lower alkyl orR3 and R4 can be taken together to form an optionally substitutedheterocyclic ring. In some embodiments, the cationic lipid is XTC(2,2-Dilinoleyl-4-dimethylaminoethyl-[1,3]-dioxolane). In general, thelipid of formula A above may be made by the following Reaction Schemes 1or 2, wherein all substituents are as defined above unless indicatedotherwise.

Lipid A, where R₁ and R₂ are independently alkyl, alkenyl or alkynyl,each can be optionally substituted, and R₃ and R₄ are independentlylower alkyl or R₃ and R₄ can be taken together to form an optionallysubstituted heterocyclic ring, can be prepared according to Scheme 1.Ketone 1 and bromide 2 can be purchased or prepared according to methodsknown to those of ordinary skill in the art. Reaction of 1 and 2 yieldsketal 3. Treatment of ketal 3 with amine 4 yields lipids of formula A.The lipids of formula A can be converted to the corresponding ammoniumsalt with an organic salt of formula 5, where X is anion counter ionselected from halogen, hydroxide, phosphate, sulfate, or the like.

Alternatively, the ketone 1 starting material can be prepared accordingto Scheme 2. Grignard reagent 6 and cyanide 7 can be purchased orprepared according to methods known to those of ordinary skill in theart. Reaction of 6 and 7 yields ketone 1. Conversion of ketone 1 to thecorresponding lipids of formula A is as described in Scheme 1.

Synthesis of MC3

Preparation of DLin-M-C3-DMA (i.e.,(6Z,9Z,28Z,31Z)-heptatriaconta-6,9,28,31-tetraen-19-yl4-(dimethylamino)butanoate) was as follows. A solution of(6Z,9Z,28Z,31Z)-heptatriaconta-6,9,28,31-tetraen-19-ol (0.53 g),4-N,N-dimethylaminobutyric acid hydrochloride (0.51 g),4-N,N-dimethylaminopyridine (0.61 g) and1-ethyl-3-(3-dimethylaminopropyl)carbodiimide hydrochloride (0.53 g) indichloromethane (5 mL) was stirred at room temperature overnight. Thesolution was washed with dilute hydrochloric acid followed by diluteaqueous sodium bicarbonate. The organic fractions were dried overanhydrous magnesium sulphate, filtered and the solvent removed on arotovap. The residue was passed down a silica gel column (20 g) using a1-5% methanol/dichloromethane elution gradient. Fractions containing thepurified product were combined and the solvent removed, yielding acolorless oil (0.54 g).

Synthesis of ALNY-100

Synthesis of ketal 519 [ALNY-100] was performed using the followingscheme 3:

Synthesis of 515:

To a stirred suspension of LiAlH4 (3.74 g, 0.09852 mol) in 200 mlanhydrous THF in a two neck RBF (1 L), was added a solution of 514 (10g, 0.04926 mol) in 70 mL of THF slowly at 0° C. under nitrogenatmosphere. After complete addition, reaction mixture was warmed to roomtemperature and then heated to reflux for 4 h. Progress of the reactionwas monitored by TLC. After completion of reaction (by TLC) the mixturewas cooled to 0° C. and quenched with careful addition of saturatedNa2SO4 solution. Reaction mixture was stirred for 4 h at roomtemperature and filtered off. Residue was washed well with THF. Thefiltrate and washings were mixed and diluted with 400 mL dioxane and 26mL conc. HCl and stirred for 20 minutes at room temperature. Thevolatilities were stripped off under vacuum to furnish the hydrochloridesalt of 515 as a white solid. Yield: 7.12 g 1H-NMR (DMSO, 400 MHz):δ=9.34 (broad, 2H), 5.68 (s, 2H), 3.74 (m, 1H), 2.66-2.60 (m, 2H),2.50-2.45 (m, 5H).

Synthesis of 516:

To a stirred solution of compound 515 in 100 mL dry DCM in a 250 mL twoneck RBF, was added NEt3 (37.2 mL, 0.2669 mol) and cooled to 0° C. undernitrogen atmosphere. After a slow addition ofN-(benzyloxy-carbonyloxy)-succinimide (20 g, 0.08007 mol) in 50 mL dryDCM, reaction mixture was allowed to warm to room temperature. Aftercompletion of the reaction (2-3 h by TLC) mixture was washedsuccessively with 1N HCl solution (1×100 mL) and saturated NaHCO3solution (1×50 mL). The organic layer was then dried over anhyd. Na2SO4and the solvent was evaporated to give crude material which was purifiedby silica gel column chromatography to get 516 as sticky mass. Yield: 11g (89%). 1H-NMR (CDCl3, 400 MHz): δ=7.36-7.27 (m, 5H), 5.69 (s, 2H),5.12 (s, 2H), 4.96 (br., 1H) 2.74 (s, 3H), 2.60 (m, 2H), 2.30-2.25 (m,2H). LC-MS [M+H]-232.3 (96.94%).

Synthesis of 517A and 517B:

The cyclopentene 516 (5 g, 0.02164 mol) was dissolved in a solution of220 mL acetone and water (10:1) in a single neck 500 mL RBF and to itwas added N-methyl morpholine-N-oxide (7.6 g, 0.06492 mol) followed by4.2 mL of 7.6% solution of OsO4 (0.275 g, 0.00108 mol) in tert-butanolat room temperature. After completion of the reaction (˜3 h), themixture was quenched with addition of solid Na2SO3 and resulting mixturewas stirred for 1.5 h at room temperature. Reaction mixture was dilutedwith DCM (300 mL) and washed with water (2×100 mL) followed by saturatedNaHCO3 (1×50 mL) solution, water (1×30 mL) and finally with brine (1×50mL). Organic phase was dried over an.Na2SO4 and solvent was removed invacuum. Silica gel column chromatographic purification of the crudematerial was afforded a mixture of diastereomers, which were separatedby prep HPLC. Yield:—6 g crude

517A—Peak-1 (white solid), 5.13 g (96%). 1H-NMR (DMSO, 400 MHz):δ=7.39-7.31 (m, 5H), 5.04 (s, 2H), 4.78-4.73 (m, 1H), 4.48-4.47 (d, 2H),3.94-3.93 (m, 2H), 2.71 (s, 3H), 1.72-1.67 (m, 4H). LC-MS—[M+H]—266.3,[M+NH4+]—283.5 present, HPLC-97.86%. Stereochemistry confirmed by X-ray.

Synthesis of 518:

Using a procedure analogous to that described for the synthesis ofcompound 505, compound 518 (1.2 g, 41%) was obtained as a colorless oil.1H-NMR (CDCl3, 400 MHz): δ=7.35-7.33 (m, 4H), 7.30-7.27 (m, 1H),5.37-5.27 (m, 8H), 5.12 (s, 2H), 4.75 (m, 1H), 4.58-4.57 (m, 2H),2.78-2.74 (m, 7H), 2.06-2.00 (m, 8H), 1.96-1.91 (m, 2H), 1.62 (m, 4H),1.48 (m, 2H), 1.37-1.25 (br m, 36H), 0.87 (m, 6H). HPLC-98.65%.

General Procedure for the Synthesis of Compound 519:

A solution of compound 518 (1 eq) in hexane (15 mL) was added in adrop-wise fashion to an ice-cold solution of LAH in THF (1 M, 2 eq).After complete addition, the mixture was heated at 40° C. over 0.5 hthen cooled again on an ice bath. The mixture was carefully hydrolyzedwith saturated aqueous Na2SO4 then filtered through celite and reducedto an oil. Column chromatography provided the pure 519 (1.3 g, 68%)which was obtained as a colorless oil. 13C NMR=130.2, 130.1 (×2), 127.9(×3), 112.3, 79.3, 64.4, 44.7, 38.3, 35.4, 31.5, 29.9 (×2), 29.7, 29.6(×2), 29.5 (×3), 29.3 (×2), 27.2 (×3), 25.6, 24.5, 23.3, 226, 14.1;Electrospray MS (+ve): Molecular weight for C44H80NO2 (M+H)+Calc. 654.6.Found 654.6.

Formulations prepared by either the standard or extrusion-free methodcan be characterized in similar manners. For example, formulations aretypically characterized by visual inspection. They should be whitishtranslucent solutions free from aggregates or sediment. Particle sizeand particle size distribution of lipid-nanoparticles can be measured bylight scattering using, for example, a Malvern Zetasizer Nano ZS(Malvern, USA). Particles should be about 20-300 nm, such as 40-100 nmin size. The particle size distribution should be unimodal. The totaldsRNA concentration in the formulation, as well as the entrappedfraction, is estimated using a dye exclusion assay. A sample of theformulated dsRNA can be incubated with an RNA-binding dye, such asRibogreen (Molecular Probes) in the presence or absence of a formulationdisrupting surfactant, e.g., 0.5% Triton-X100. The total dsRNA in theformulation can be determined by the signal from the sample containingthe surfactant, relative to a standard curve. The entrapped fraction isdetermined by subtracting the “free” dsRNA content (as measured by thesignal in the absence of surfactant) from the total dsRNA content.Percent entrapped dsRNA is typically >85%. For SNALP formulation, theparticle size is at least 30 nm, at least 40 nm, at least 50 nm, atleast 60 nm, at least 70 nm, at least 80 nm, at least 90 nm, at least100 nm, at least 110 nm, and at least 120 nm. The suitable range istypically about at least 50 nm to about at least 110 nm, about at least60 nm to about at least 100 nm, or about at least 80 nm to about atleast 90 nm.

Compositions and formulations for oral administration include powders orgranules, microparticulates, nanoparticulates, suspensions or solutionsin water or non-aqueous media, capsules, gel capsules, sachets, tabletsor minitablets. Thickeners, flavoring agents, diluents, emulsifiers,dispersing aids or binders may be desirable. In some embodiments, oralformulations are those in which dsRNAs featured in the invention areadministered in conjunction with one or more penetration enhancerssurfactants and chelators. Suitable surfactants include fatty acidsand/or esters or salts thereof, bile acids and/or salts thereof.Suitable bile acids/salts include chenodeoxycholic acid (CDCA) andursodeoxychenodeoxycholic acid (UDCA), cholic acid, dehydrocholic acid,deoxycholic acid, glucholic acid, glycholic acid, glycodeoxycholic acid,taurocholic acid, taurodeoxycholic acid, sodiumtauro-24,25-dihydro-fusidate and sodium glycodihydrofusidate. Suitablefatty acids include arachidonic acid, undecanoic acid, oleic acid,lauric acid, caprylic acid, capric acid, myristic acid, palmitic acid,stearic acid, linoleic acid, linolenic acid, dicaprate, tricaprate,monoolein, dilaurin, glyceryl 1-monocaprate,1-dodecylazacycloheptan-2-one, an acylcarnitine, an acylcholine, or amonoglyceride, a diglyceride or a pharmaceutically acceptable saltthereof (e.g., sodium). In some embodiments, combinations of penetrationenhancers are used, for example, fatty acids/salts in combination withbile acids/salts. One exemplary combination is the sodium salt of lauricacid, capric acid and UDCA. Further penetration enhancers includepolyoxyethylene-9-lauryl ether, polyoxyethylene-20-cetyl ether. DsRNAsfeatured in the invention may be delivered orally, in granular formincluding sprayed dried particles, or complexed to form micro ornanoparticles. DsRNA complexing agents include poly-amino acids;polyimines; polyacrylates; polyalkylacrylates, polyoxethanes,polyalkylcyanoacrylates; cationized gelatins, albumins, starches,acrylates, polyethyleneglycols (PEG) and starches;polyalkylcyanoacrylates; DEAE-derivatized polyimines, pollulans,celluloses and starches. Suitable complexing agents include chitosan,N-trimethylchitosan, poly-L-lysine, polyhistidine, polyornithine,polyspermines, protamine, polyvinylpyridine,polythiodiethylaminomethylethylene P(TDAE), polyaminostyrene (e.g.,p-amino), poly(methylcyanoacrylate), poly(ethylcyanoacrylate),poly(butylcyanoacrylate), poly(isobutylcyanoacrylate),poly(isohexylcynaoacrylate), DEAE-methacrylate, DEAE-hexylacrylate,DEAE-acrylamide, DEAE-albumin and DEAE-dextran, polymethylacrylate,polyhexylacrylate, poly(D,L-lactic acid), poly(DL-lactic-co-glycolicacid (PLGA), alginate, and polyethyleneglycol (PEG). Oral formulationsfor dsRNAs and their preparation are described in detail in U.S. Pat.No. 6,887,906, US Publn. No. 20030027780, and U.S. Pat. No. 6,747,014,each of which is incorporated herein by reference.

Compositions and formulations for parenteral, intraparenchymal (into thebrain), intrathecal, intraventricular or intrahepatic administration mayinclude sterile aqueous solutions which may also contain buffers,diluents and other suitable additives such as, but not limited to,penetration enhancers, carrier compounds and other pharmaceuticallyacceptable carriers or excipients.

Pharmaceutical compositions of the present invention include, but arenot limited to, solutions, emulsions, and liposome-containingformulations. These compositions may be generated from a variety ofcomponents that include, but are not limited to, preformed liquids,self-emulsifying solids and self-emulsifying semisolids.

The pharmaceutical formulations featured in the present invention, whichmay conveniently be presented in unit dosage form, may be preparedaccording to conventional techniques well known in the pharmaceuticalindustry. Such techniques include the step of bringing into associationthe active ingredients with the pharmaceutical carrier(s) orexcipient(s). In general, the formulations are prepared by uniformly andintimately bringing into association the active ingredients with liquidcarriers or finely divided solid carriers or both, and then, ifnecessary, shaping the product.

The compositions featured in the present invention may be formulatedinto any of many possible dosage forms such as, but not limited to,tablets, capsules, gel capsules, liquid syrups, soft gels,suppositories, and enemas. The compositions may also be formulated assuspensions in aqueous, non-aqueous or mixed media. Aqueous suspensionsmay further contain substances which increase the viscosity of thesuspension including, for example, sodium carboxymethylcellulose,sorbitol and/or dextran. The suspension may also contain stabilizers.

Additional Formulations

Emulsions

The compositions of the present invention may be prepared and formulatedas emulsions.

Emulsions are typically heterogeneous systems of one liquid dispersed inanother in the form of droplets usually exceeding 0.1 μm in diameter(see e.g., Ansel's Pharmaceutical Dosage Forms and Drug DeliverySystems, Allen, L V., Popovich N G., and Ansel H C., 2004, LippincottWilliams & Wilkins (8th ed.), New York, N.Y.; Idson, in PharmaceuticalDosage Forms, Lieberman, Rieger and Banker (Eds.), 1988, Marcel Dekker,Inc., New York, N.Y., volume 1, p. 199; Rosoff, in Pharmaceutical DosageForms, Lieberman, Rieger and Banker (Eds.), 1988, Marcel Dekker, Inc.,New York, N.Y., Volume 1, p. 245; Block in Pharmaceutical Dosage Forms,Lieberman, Rieger and Banker (Eds.), 1988, Marcel Dekker, Inc., NewYork, N.Y., volume 2, p. 335; Higuchi et al., in Remington'sPharmaceutical Sciences, Mack Publishing Co., Easton, Pa., 1985, p.301). Emulsions are often biphasic systems comprising two immiscibleliquid phases intimately mixed and dispersed with each other. Ingeneral, emulsions may be of either the water-in-oil (w/o) or theoil-in-water (o/w) variety. When an aqueous phase is finely divided intoand dispersed as minute droplets into a bulk oily phase, the resultingcomposition is called a water-in-oil (w/o) emulsion. Alternatively, whenan oily phase is finely divided into and dispersed as minute dropletsinto a bulk aqueous phase, the resulting composition is called anoil-in-water (o/w) emulsion. Emulsions may contain additional componentsin addition to the dispersed phases, and the active drug which may bepresent as a solution in either the aqueous phase, oily phase or itselfas a separate phase. Pharmaceutical excipients such as emulsifiers,stabilizers, dyes, and anti-oxidants may also be present in emulsions asneeded. Pharmaceutical emulsions may also be multiple emulsions that arecomprised of more than two phases such as, for example, in the case ofoil-in-water-in-oil (o/w/o) and water-in-oil-in-water (w/o/w) emulsions.Such complex formulations often provide certain advantages that simplebinary emulsions do not. Multiple emulsions in which individual oildroplets of an o/w emulsion enclose small water droplets constitute aw/o/w emulsion. Likewise a system of oil droplets enclosed in globulesof water stabilized in an oily continuous phase provides an o/w/oemulsion.

Emulsions are characterized by little or no thermodynamic stability.Often, the dispersed or discontinuous phase of the emulsion is welldispersed into the external or continuous phase and maintained in thisform through the means of emulsifiers or the viscosity of theformulation. Either of the phases of the emulsion may be a semisolid ora solid, as is the case of emulsion-style ointment bases and creams.Other means of stabilizing emulsions entail the use of emulsifiers thatmay be incorporated into either phase of the emulsion. Emulsifiers maybroadly be classified into four categories: synthetic surfactants,naturally occurring emulsifiers, absorption bases, and finely dispersedsolids (see e.g., Ansel's Pharmaceutical Dosage Forms and Drug DeliverySystems, Allen, L V., Popovich N G., and Ansel H C., 2004, LippincottWilliams & Wilkins (8th ed.), New York, N.Y.; Idson, in PharmaceuticalDosage Forms, Lieberman, Rieger and Banker (Eds.), 1988, Marcel Dekker,Inc., New York, N.Y., volume 1, p. 199).

Synthetic surfactants, also known as surface active agents, have foundwide applicability in the formulation of emulsions and have beenreviewed in the literature (see e.g., Ansel's Pharmaceutical DosageForms and Drug Delivery Systems, Allen, L V., Popovich N G., and Ansel HC., 2004, Lippincott Williams & Wilkins (8th ed.), New York, N.Y.;Rieger, in Pharmaceutical Dosage Forms, Lieberman, Rieger and Banker(Eds.), 1988, Marcel Dekker, Inc., New York, N.Y., volume 1, p. 285;Idson, in Pharmaceutical Dosage Forms, Lieberman, Rieger and Banker(Eds.), Marcel Dekker, Inc., New York, N.Y., 1988, volume 1, p. 199).Surfactants are typically amphiphilic and comprise a hydrophilic and ahydrophobic portion. The ratio of the hydrophilic to the hydrophobicnature of the surfactant has been termed the hydrophile/lipophilebalance (HLB) and is a valuable tool in categorizing and selectingsurfactants in the preparation of formulations. Surfactants may beclassified into different classes based on the nature of the hydrophilicgroup: nonionic, anionic, cationic and amphoteric (see e.g., Ansel'sPharmaceutical Dosage Forms and Drug Delivery Systems, Allen, L V.,Popovich N G., and Ansel H C., 2004, Lippincott Williams & Wilkins (8thed.), New York, N.Y. Rieger, in Pharmaceutical Dosage Forms, Lieberman,Rieger and Banker (Eds.), 1988, Marcel Dekker, Inc., New York, N.Y.,volume 1, p. 285).

Naturally occurring emulsifiers used in emulsion formulations includelanolin, beeswax, phosphatides, lecithin and acacia. Absorption basespossess hydrophilic properties such that they can soak up water to formw/o emulsions yet retain their semisolid consistencies, such asanhydrous lanolin and hydrophilic petrolatum. Finely divided solids havealso been used as good emulsifiers especially in combination withsurfactants and in viscous preparations. These include polar inorganicsolids, such as heavy metal hydroxides, nonswelling clays such asbentonite, attapulgite, hectorite, kaolin, montmorillonite, colloidalaluminum silicate and colloidal magnesium aluminum silicate, pigmentsand nonpolar solids such as carbon or glyceryl tristearate.

A large variety of non-emulsifying materials are also included inemulsion formulations and contribute to the properties of emulsions.These include fats, oils, waxes, fatty acids, fatty alcohols, fattyesters, humectants, hydrophilic colloids, preservatives and antioxidants(Block, in Pharmaceutical Dosage Forms, Lieberman, Rieger and Banker(Eds.), 1988, Marcel Dekker, Inc., New York, N.Y., volume 1, p. 335;Idson, in Pharmaceutical Dosage Forms, Lieberman, Rieger and Banker(Eds.), 1988, Marcel Dekker, Inc., New York, N.Y., volume 1, p. 199).

Hydrophilic colloids or hydrocolloids include naturally occurring gumsand synthetic polymers such as polysaccharides (for example, acacia,agar, alginic acid, carrageenan, guar gum, karaya gum, and tragacanth),cellulose derivatives (for example, carboxymethylcellulose andcarboxypropylcellulose), and synthetic polymers (for example, carbomers,cellulose ethers, and carboxyvinyl polymers). These disperse or swell inwater to form colloidal solutions that stabilize emulsions by formingstrong interfacial films around the dispersed-phase droplets and byincreasing the viscosity of the external phase.

Since emulsions often contain a number of ingredients such ascarbohydrates, proteins, sterols and phosphatides that may readilysupport the growth of microbes, these formulations often incorporatepreservatives. Commonly used preservatives included in emulsionformulations include methyl paraben, propyl paraben, quaternary ammoniumsalts, benzalkonium chloride, esters of p-hydroxybenzoic acid, and boricacid. Antioxidants are also commonly added to emulsion formulations toprevent deterioration of the formulation. Antioxidants used may be freeradical scavengers such as tocopherols, alkyl gallates, butylatedhydroxyanisole, butylated hydroxytoluene, or reducing agents such asascorbic acid and sodium metabisulfite, and antioxidant synergists suchas citric acid, tartaric acid, and lecithin.

The application of emulsion formulations via dermatological, oral andparenteral routes and methods for their manufacture have been reviewedin the literature (see e.g., Ansel's Pharmaceutical Dosage Forms andDrug Delivery Systems, Allen, L V., Popovich N G., and Ansel H C., 2004,Lippincott Williams & Wilkins (8th ed.), New York, N.Y.; Idson, inPharmaceutical Dosage Forms, Lieberman, Rieger and Banker (Eds.), 1988,Marcel Dekker, Inc., New York, N.Y., volume 1, p. 199). Emulsionformulations for oral delivery have been very widely used because ofease of formulation, as well as efficacy from an absorption andbioavailability standpoint (see e.g., Ansel's Pharmaceutical DosageForms and Drug Delivery Systems, Allen, L V., Popovich N G., and Ansel HC., 2004, Lippincott Williams & Wilkins (8th ed.), New York, N.Y.;Rosoff, in Pharmaceutical Dosage Forms, Lieberman, Rieger and Banker(Eds.), 1988, Marcel Dekker, Inc., New York, N.Y., volume 1, p. 245;Idson, in Pharmaceutical Dosage Forms, Lieberman, Rieger and Banker(Eds.), 1988, Marcel Dekker, Inc., New York, N.Y., volume 1, p. 199).Mineral-oil base laxatives, oil-soluble vitamins and high fat nutritivepreparations are among the materials that have commonly beenadministered orally as o/w emulsions.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the compositions of iRNAsand nucleic acids are formulated as microemulsions. A microemulsion maybe defined as a system of water, oil and amphiphile which is a singleoptically isotropic and thermodynamically stable liquid solution (seee.g., Ansel's Pharmaceutical Dosage Forms and Drug Delivery Systems,Allen, L V., Popovich N G., and Ansel H C., 2004, Lippincott Williams &Wilkins (8th ed.), New York, N.Y.; Rosoff, in Pharmaceutical DosageForms, Lieberman, Rieger and Banker (Eds.), 1988, Marcel Dekker, Inc.,New York, N.Y., volume 1, p. 245). Typically microemulsions are systemsthat are prepared by first dispersing an oil in an aqueous surfactantsolution and then adding a sufficient amount of a fourth component,generally an intermediate chain-length alcohol to form a transparentsystem. Therefore, microemulsions have also been described asthermodynamically stable, isotropically clear dispersions of twoimmiscible liquids that are stabilized by interfacial films ofsurface-active molecules (Leung and Shah, in: Controlled Release ofDrugs: Polymers and Aggregate Systems, Rosoff, M., Ed., 1989, VCHPublishers, New York, pages 185-215). Microemulsions commonly areprepared via a combination of three to five components that include oil,water, surfactant, cosurfactant and electrolyte. Whether themicroemulsion is of the water-in-oil (w/o) or an oil-in-water (o/w) typeis dependent on the properties of the oil and surfactant used and on thestructure and geometric packing of the polar heads and hydrocarbon tailsof the surfactant molecules (Schott, in Remington's PharmaceuticalSciences, Mack Publishing Co., Easton, Pa., 1985, p. 271).

The phenomenological approach utilizing phase diagrams has beenextensively studied and has yielded a comprehensive knowledge, to oneskilled in the art, of how to formulate microemulsions (see e.g.,Ansel's Pharmaceutical Dosage Forms and Drug Delivery Systems, Allen, LV., Popovich N G., and Ansel H C., 2004, Lippincott Williams & Wilkins(8th ed.), New York, N.Y.; Rosoff, in Pharmaceutical Dosage Forms,Lieberman, Rieger and Banker (Eds.), 1988, Marcel Dekker, Inc., NewYork, N.Y., volume 1, p. 245; Block, in Pharmaceutical Dosage Forms,Lieberman, Rieger and Banker (Eds.), 1988, Marcel Dekker, Inc., NewYork, N.Y., volume 1, p. 335). Compared to conventional emulsions,microemulsions offer the advantage of solubilizing water-insoluble drugsin a formulation of thermodynamically stable droplets that are formedspontaneously.

Surfactants used in the preparation of microemulsions include, but arenot limited to, ionic surfactants, non-ionic surfactants, Brij 96,polyoxyethylene oleyl ethers, polyglycerol fatty acid esters,tetraglycerol monolaurate (ML310), tetraglycerol monooleate (MO310),hexaglycerol monooleate (PO310), hexaglycerol pentaoleate (PO500),decaglycerol monocaprate (MCA750), decaglycerol monooleate (MO750),decaglycerol sequioleate (SO750), decaglycerol decaoleate (DAO750),alone or in combination with cosurfactants. The cosurfactant, usually ashort-chain alcohol such as ethanol, 1-propanol, and 1-butanol, servesto increase the interfacial fluidity by penetrating into the surfactantfilm and consequently creating a disordered film because of the voidspace generated among surfactant molecules. Microemulsions may, however,be prepared without the use of cosurfactants and alcohol-freeself-emulsifying microemulsion systems are known in the art. The aqueousphase may typically be, but is not limited to, water, an aqueoussolution of the drug, glycerol, PEG300, PEG400, polyglycerols, propyleneglycols, and derivatives of ethylene glycol. The oil phase may include,but is not limited to, materials such as Captex 300, Captex 355, CapmulMCM, fatty acid esters, medium chain (C8-C12) mono, di, andtri-glycerides, polyoxyethylated glyceryl fatty acid esters, fattyalcohols, polyglycolized glycerides, saturated polyglycolized C8-C10glycerides, vegetable oils and silicone oil.

Microemulsions are particularly of interest from the standpoint of drugsolubilization and the enhanced absorption of drugs. Lipid basedmicroemulsions (both o/w and w/o) have been proposed to enhance the oralbioavailability of drugs, including peptides (see e.g., U.S. Pat. Nos.6,191,105; 7,063,860; 7,070,802; 7,157,099; Constantinides et al.,Pharmaceutical Research, 1994, 11, 1385-1390; Ritschel, Meth. Find. Exp.Clin. Pharmacol., 1993, 13, 205). Microemulsions afford advantages ofimproved drug solubilization, protection of drug from enzymatichydrolysis, possible enhancement of drug absorption due tosurfactant-induced alterations in membrane fluidity and permeability,ease of preparation, ease of oral administration over solid dosageforms, improved clinical potency, and decreased toxicity (see e.g., U.S.Pat. Nos. 6,191,105; 7,063,860; 7,070,802; 7,157,099; Constantinides etal., Pharmaceutical Research, 1994, 11, 1385; Ho et al., J. Pharm. Sci.,1996, 85, 138-143). Often microemulsions may form spontaneously whentheir components are brought together at ambient temperature. This maybe particularly advantageous when formulating thermolabile drugs,peptides or iRNAs. Microemulsions have also been effective in thetransdermal delivery of active components in both cosmetic andpharmaceutical applications. It is expected that the microemulsioncompositions and formulations of the present invention will facilitatethe increased systemic absorption of iRNAs and nucleic acids from thegastrointestinal tract, as well as improve the local cellular uptake ofiRNAs and nucleic acids.

Microemulsions of the present invention may also contain additionalcomponents and additives such as sorbitan monostearate (Grill 3),Labrasol, and penetration enhancers to improve the properties of theformulation and to enhance the absorption of the iRNAs and nucleic acidsof the present invention. Penetration enhancers used in themicroemulsions of the present invention may be classified as belongingto one of five broad categories—surfactants, fatty acids, bile salts,chelating agents, and non-chelating non-surfactants (Lee et al.,Critical Reviews in Therapeutic Drug Carrier Systems, 1991, p. 92). Eachof these classes has been discussed above.

Penetration Enhancers

In one embodiment, the present invention employs various penetrationenhancers to effect the efficient delivery of nucleic acids,particularly iRNAs, to the skin of animals. Most drugs are present insolution in both ionized and nonionized forms. However, usually onlylipid soluble or lipophilic drugs readily cross cell membranes. It hasbeen discovered that even non-lipophilic drugs may cross cell membranesif the membrane to be crossed is treated with a penetration enhancer. Inaddition to aiding the diffusion of non-lipophilic drugs across cellmembranes, penetration enhancers also enhance the permeability oflipophilic drugs.

Penetration enhancers may be classified as belonging to one of fivebroad categories, i.e., surfactants, fatty acids, bile salts, chelatingagents, and non-chelating non-surfactants (see e.g., Malmsten, M.Surfactants and polymers in drug delivery, Informa Health Care, NewYork, N.Y., 2002; Lee et al., Critical Reviews in Therapeutic DrugCarrier Systems, 1991, p. 92). Each of the above mentioned classes ofpenetration enhancers are described below in greater detail.

Surfactants:

In connection with the present invention, surfactants (or“surface-active agents”) are chemical entities which, when dissolved inan aqueous solution, reduce the surface tension of the solution or theinterfacial tension between the aqueous solution and another liquid,with the result that absorption of iRNAs through the mucosa is enhanced.In addition to bile salts and fatty acids, these penetration enhancersinclude, for example, sodium lauryl sulfate, polyoxyethylene-9-laurylether and polyoxyethylene-20-cetyl ether) (see e.g., Malmsten, M.Surfactants and polymers in drug delivery, Informa Health Care, NewYork, N.Y., 2002; Lee et al., Critical Reviews in Therapeutic DrugCarrier Systems, 1991, p. 92); and perfluorochemical emulsions, such asFC-43. Takahashi et al., J. Pharm. Pharmacol., 1988, 40, 252).

Fatty Acids:

Various fatty acids and their derivatives which act as penetrationenhancers include, for example, oleic acid, lauric acid, capric acid(n-decanoic acid), myristic acid, palmitic acid, stearic acid, linoleicacid, linolenic acid, dicaprate, tricaprate, monoolein(1-monooleoyl-rac-glycerol), dilaurin, caprylic acid, arachidonic acid,glycerol 1-monocaprate, 1-dodecylazacycloheptan-2-one, acylcarnitines,acylcholines, C₁₋₂₀ alkyl esters thereof (e.g., methyl, isopropyl andt-butyl), and mono- and di-glycerides thereof (i.e., oleate, laurate,caprate, myristate, palmitate, stearate, linoleate, etc.) (see e.g.,Touitou, E., et al. Enhancement in Drug Delivery, CRC Press, Danvers,Mass., 2006; Lee et al., Critical Reviews in Therapeutic Drug CarrierSystems, 1991, p. 92; Muranishi, Critical Reviews in Therapeutic DrugCarrier Systems, 1990, 7, 1-33; El Hariri et al., J. Pharm. Pharmacol.,1992, 44, 651-654).

Bile Salts:

The physiological role of bile includes the facilitation of dispersionand absorption of lipids and fat-soluble vitamins (see e.g., Malmsten,M. Surfactants and polymers in drug delivery, Informa Health Care, NewYork, N.Y., 2002; Brunton, Chapter 38 in: Goodman & Gilman's ThePharmacological Basis of Therapeutics, 9th Ed., Hardman et al. Eds.,McGraw-Hill, New York, 1996, pp. 934-935). Various natural bile salts,and their synthetic derivatives, act as penetration enhancers. Thus theterm “bile salts” includes any of the naturally occurring components ofbile as well as any of their synthetic derivatives. Suitable bile saltsinclude, for example, cholic acid (or its pharmaceutically acceptablesodium salt, sodium cholate), dehydrocholic acid (sodiumdehydrocholate), deoxycholic acid (sodium deoxycholate), glucholic acid(sodium glucholate), glycholic acid (sodium glycocholate),glycodeoxycholic acid (sodium glycodeoxycholate), taurocholic acid(sodium taurocholate), taurodeoxycholic acid (sodium taurodeoxycholate),chenodeoxycholic acid (sodium chenodeoxycholate), ursodeoxycholic acid(UDCA), sodium tauro-24,25-dihydro-fusidate (STDHF), sodiumglycodihydrofusidate and polyoxyethylene-9-lauryl ether (POE) (see e.g.,Malmsten, M. Surfactants and polymers in drug delivery, Informa HealthCare, New York, N.Y., 2002; Lee et al., Critical Reviews in TherapeuticDrug Carrier Systems, 1991, page 92; Swinyard, Chapter 39 In:Remington's Pharmaceutical Sciences, 18th Ed., Gennaro, ed., MackPublishing Co., Easton, Pa., 1990, pages 782-783; Muranishi, CriticalReviews in Therapeutic Drug Carrier Systems, 1990, 7, 1-33; Yamamoto etal., J. Pharm. Exp. Ther., 1992, 263, 25; Yamashita et al., J. Pharm.Sci., 1990, 79, 579-583).

Chelating Agents:

Chelating agents, as used in connection with the present invention, canbe defined as compounds that remove metallic ions from solution byforming complexes therewith, with the result that absorption of iRNAsthrough the mucosa is enhanced. With regards to their use as penetrationenhancers in the present invention, chelating agents have the addedadvantage of also serving as DNase inhibitors, as most characterized DNAnucleases require a divalent metal ion for catalysis and are thusinhibited by chelating agents (Jarrett, J. Chromatogr., 1993, 618,315-339). Suitable chelating agents include but are not limited todisodium ethylenediaminetetraacetate (EDTA), citric acid, salicylates(e.g., sodium salicylate, 5-methoxysalicylate and homovanilate), N-acylderivatives of collagen, laureth-9 and N-amino acyl derivatives ofβ-diketones (enamines)(see e.g., Katdare, A. et al., Excipientdevelopment for pharmaceutical, biotechnology, and drug delivery, CRCPress, Danvers, Mass., 2006; Lee et al., Critical Reviews in TherapeuticDrug Carrier Systems, 1991, page 92; Muranishi, Critical Reviews inTherapeutic Drug Carrier Systems, 1990, 7, 1-33; Buur et al., J. ControlRel., 1990, 14, 43-51).

Non-Chelating Non-Surfactants:

As used herein, non-chelating non-surfactant penetration enhancingcompounds can be defined as compounds that demonstrate insignificantactivity as chelating agents or as surfactants but that nonethelessenhance absorption of iRNAs through the alimentary mucosa (see e.g.,Muranishi, Critical Reviews in Therapeutic Drug Carrier Systems, 1990,7, 1-33). This class of penetration enhancers include, for example,unsaturated cyclic ureas, 1-alkyl- and 1-alkenylazacyclo-alkanonederivatives (Lee et al., Critical Reviews in Therapeutic Drug CarrierSystems, 1991, page 92); and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agents suchas diclofenac sodium, indomethacin and phenylbutazone (Yamashita et al.,J. Pharm. Pharmacol., 1987, 39, 621-626).

Agents that enhance uptake of iRNAs at the cellular level may also beadded to the pharmaceutical and other compositions of the presentinvention. For example, cationic lipids, such as lipofectin (Junichi etal, U.S. Pat. No. 5,705,188), cationic glycerol derivatives, andpolycationic molecules, such as polylysine (Lollo et al., PCTApplication WO 97/30731), are also known to enhance the cellular uptakeof dsRNAs. Examples of commercially available transfection reagentsinclude, for example Lipofectamine™ (Invitrogen; Carlsbad, Calif.),Lipofectamine 2000™ (Invitrogen; Carlsbad, Calif.), 293Fectin™(Invitrogen; Carlsbad, Calif.), Cellfectin™ (Invitrogen; Carlsbad,Calif.), DMRIE-C™ (Invitrogen; Carlsbad, Calif.), FreeStyle™MAX(Invitrogen; Carlsbad, Calif.), Lipofectamine™ 2000 CD (Invitrogen;Carlsbad, Calif.), Lipofectamine™ (Invitrogen; Carlsbad, Calif.),RNAiMAX (Invitrogen; Carlsbad, Calif.), Oligofectamine™ (Invitrogen;Carlsbad, Calif.), Optifect™ (Invitrogen; Carlsbad, Calif.), X-tremeGENEQ2 Transfection Reagent (Roche; Grenzacherstrasse, Switzerland), DOTAPLiposomal Transfection Reagent (Grenzacherstrasse, Switzerland), DOSPERLiposomal Transfection Reagent (Grenzacherstrasse, Switzerland), orFugene (Grenzacherstrasse, Switzerland), Transfectam® Reagent (Promega;Madison, Wis.), TransFast™ Transfection Reagent (Promega; Madison,Wis.), Tfx™-20 Reagent (Promega; Madison, Wis.), Tfx™-50 Reagent(Promega; Madison, Wis.), DreamFect™ (OZ Biosciences; Marseille,France), EcoTransfect (OZ Biosciences; Marseille, France), TransPassa D1Transfection Reagent (New England Biolabs; Ipswich, Mass., USA),LyoVec™/LipoGen™ (Invivogen; San Diego, Calif., USA), PerFectinTransfection Reagent (Genlantis; San Diego, Calif., USA), NeuroPORTERTransfection Reagent (Genlantis; San Diego, Calif., USA), GenePORTERTransfection reagent (Genlantis; San Diego, Calif., USA), GenePORTER 2Transfection reagent (Genlantis; San Diego, Calif., USA), CytofectinTransfection Reagent (Genlantis; San Diego, Calif., USA), BaculoPORTERTransfection Reagent (Genlantis; San Diego, Calif., USA), TroganPORTER™transfection Reagent (Genlantis; San Diego, Calif., USA), RiboFect(Bioline; Taunton, Mass., USA), PlasFect (Bioline; Taunton, Mass., USA),UniFECTOR (B-Bridge International; Mountain View, Calif., USA),SureFECTOR (B-Bridge International; Mountain View, Calif., USA), orHiFect™ (B-Bridge International, Mountain View, Calif., USA), amongothers.

Other agents may be utilized to enhance the penetration of theadministered nucleic acids, including glycols such as ethylene glycoland propylene glycol, pyrrols such as 2-pyrrol, azones, and terpenessuch as limonene and menthone.

Carriers

Certain compositions of the present invention also incorporate carriercompounds in the formulation. As used herein, “carrier compound” or“carrier” can refer to a nucleic acid, or analog thereof, which is inert(i.e., does not possess biological activity per se) but is recognized asa nucleic acid by in vivo processes that reduce the bioavailability of anucleic acid having biological activity by, for example, degrading thebiologically active nucleic acid or promoting its removal fromcirculation. The coadministration of a nucleic acid and a carriercompound, typically with an excess of the latter substance, can resultin a substantial reduction of the amount of nucleic acid recovered inthe liver, kidney or other extracirculatory reservoirs, presumably dueto competition between the carrier compound and the nucleic acid for acommon receptor. For example, the recovery of a partiallyphosphorothioate dsRNA in hepatic tissue can be reduced when it iscoadministered with polyinosinic acid, dextran sulfate, polycytidic acidor 4-acetamido-4′isothiocyano-stilbene-2,2′-disulfonic acid (Miyao etal., DsRNA Res. Dev., 1995, 5, 115-121; Takakura et al., DsRNA & Nucl.Acid Drug Dev., 1996, 6, 177-183.

Excipients

In contrast to a carrier compound, a “pharmaceutical carrier” or“excipient” is a pharmaceutically acceptable solvent, suspending agentor any other pharmacologically inert vehicle for delivering one or morenucleic acids to an animal. The excipient may be liquid or solid and isselected, with the planned manner of administration in mind, so as toprovide for the desired bulk, consistency, etc., when combined with anucleic acid and the other components of a given pharmaceuticalcomposition. Typical pharmaceutical carriers include, but are notlimited to, binding agents (e.g., pregelatinized maize starch,polyvinylpyrrolidone or hydroxypropyl methylcellulose, etc.); fillers(e.g., lactose and other sugars, microcrystalline cellulose, pectin,gelatin, calcium sulfate, ethyl cellulose, polyacrylates or calciumhydrogen phosphate, etc.); lubricants (e.g., magnesium stearate, talc,silica, colloidal silicon dioxide, stearic acid, metallic stearates,hydrogenated vegetable oils, corn starch, polyethylene glycols, sodiumbenzoate, sodium acetate, etc.); disintegrants (e.g., starch, sodiumstarch glycolate, etc.); and wetting agents (e.g., sodium laurylsulphate, etc).

Pharmaceutically acceptable organic or inorganic excipients suitable fornon-parenteral administration which do not deleteriously react withnucleic acids can also be used to formulate the compositions of thepresent invention. Suitable pharmaceutically acceptable carriersinclude, but are not limited to, water, salt solutions, alcohols,polyethylene glycols, gelatin, lactose, amylose, magnesium stearate,talc, silicic acid, viscous paraffin, hydroxymethylcellulose,polyvinylpyrrolidone and the like.

Formulations for topical administration of nucleic acids may includesterile and non-sterile aqueous solutions, non-aqueous solutions incommon solvents such as alcohols, or solutions of the nucleic acids inliquid or solid oil bases. The solutions may also contain buffers,diluents and other suitable additives. Pharmaceutically acceptableorganic or inorganic excipients suitable for non-parenteraladministration which do not deleteriously react with nucleic acids canbe used.

Suitable pharmaceutically acceptable excipients include, but are notlimited to, water, salt solutions, alcohol, polyethylene glycols,gelatin, lactose, amylose, magnesium stearate, talc, silicic acid,viscous paraffin, hydroxymethylcellulose, polyvinylpyrrolidone and thelike.

Other Components

The compositions of the present invention may additionally contain otheradjunct components conventionally found in pharmaceutical compositions,at their art-established usage levels. Thus, for example, thecompositions may contain additional, compatible, pharmaceutically-activematerials such as, for example, antipruritics, astringents, localanesthetics or anti-inflammatory agents, or may contain additionalmaterials useful in physically formulating various dosage forms of thecompositions of the present invention, such as dyes, flavoring agents,preservatives, antioxidants, opacifiers, thickening agents andstabilizers. However, such materials, when added, should not undulyinterfere with the biological activities of the components of thecompositions of the present invention. The formulations can besterilized and, if desired, mixed with auxiliary agents, e.g.,lubricants, preservatives, stabilizers, wetting agents, emulsifiers,salts for influencing osmotic pressure, buffers, colorings, flavoringsand/or aromatic substances and the like which do not deleteriouslyinteract with the nucleic acid(s) of the formulation.

Aqueous suspensions may contain substances that increase the viscosityof the suspension including, for example, sodium carboxymethylcellulose,sorbitol and/or dextran. The suspension may also contain stabilizers.

In some embodiments, pharmaceutical compositions featured in theinvention include (a) one or more iRNA compounds and (b) one or morebiologic agents which function by a non-RNAi mechanism. Examples of suchbiologic agents include agents that interfere with an interaction ofALAS1 and at least one ALAS1 binding partner.

Toxicity and therapeutic efficacy of such compounds can be determined bystandard pharmaceutical procedures in cell cultures or experimentalanimals, e.g., for determining the LD50 (the dose lethal to 50% of thepopulation) and the ED50 (the dose therapeutically effective in 50% ofthe population). The dose ratio between toxic and therapeutic effects isthe therapeutic index and it can be expressed as the ratio LD50/ED50.Compounds that exhibit high therapeutic indices are typical.

The data obtained from cell culture assays and animal studies can beused in formulating a range of dosage for use in humans. The dosage ofcompositions featured in the invention lies generally within a range ofcirculating concentrations that include the ED50 with little or notoxicity. The dosage may vary within this range depending upon thedosage form employed and the route of administration utilized. For anycompound used in the methods featured in the invention, thetherapeutically effective dose can be estimated initially from cellculture assays. A dose may be formulated in animal models to achieve acirculating plasma concentration range of the compound or, whenappropriate, of the polypeptide product of a target sequence (e.g.,achieving a decreased concentration of the polypeptide) that includesthe IC50 (i.e., the concentration of the test compound which achieves ahalf-maximal inhibition of symptoms) as determined in cell culture. Suchinformation can be used to more accurately determine useful doses inhumans. Levels in plasma may be measured, for example, by highperformance liquid chromatography.

In addition to their administration, as discussed above, the iRNAsfeatured in the invention can be administered in combination with otherknown agents effective in treatment of diseases or disorders related toALAS1 expression. In any event, the administering physician can adjustthe amount and timing of iRNA administration on the basis of resultsobserved using standard measures of efficacy known in the art ordescribed herein.

Methods for Treating Diseases Related to Expression of an ALAS1 Gene

The invention relates in particular to the use of an iRNA targetingALAS1 to inhibit ALAS1 expression and/or to treat a disease, disorder,or pathological process that is related to ALAS1 expression.

As used herein, “a disorder related to ALAS1 expression,” a “diseaserelated to ALAS1 expression, a “pathological process related to ALAS1expression,” or the like includes any condition, disorder, or disease inwhich ALAS1 expression is altered (e.g., elevated), the level of one ormore porphyrins is altered (e.g., elevated), the level or activity ofone or more enzymes in the heme biosynthetic pathway (porphyrin pathway)is altered, or other mechisms that lead to pathological changes in theheme biosynthetic pathway. For example, an iRNA targeting an ALAS1 gene,or a combination thereof, may be used for treatment of conditions inwhich levels of a porphyrin or a porphyrin precursor (e.g., ALA or PBG)are elevated (e.g., certain porphyrias), or conditions in which thereare defects in the enzymes of the heme biosynthetic pathway (e.g.,certain porphyrias). Disorders related to ALAS1 expression include, forexample, X-linked sideroblastic anemia (XLSA), ALA deyhdratasedeficiency porphyria (Doss porphyria), acute intermittent porphyria(AIP), congenital erythropoietic porphyria, prophyria cutanea tarda,hereditary coproporphyria (coproporphyria), variegate porphyria,erythropoietic protoporphyria (EPP), and transient erythroporphyria ofinfancy.

As used herein, a “subject” to be treated according to the methodsdescribed herein, includes a human or non-human animal, e.g., a mammal.The mammal may be, for example, a rodent (e.g., a rat or mouse) or aprimate (e.g., a monkey). In some embodiments, the subject is a human.

In some embodiments, the subject is suffering from a disorder related toALAS1 expression (e.g., has been diagnosed with a porphyria or hassuffered from one or more symptoms of porphyria and is a carrier of amutation associated with porphyria) or is at risk of developing adisorder related to ALAS1 expression (e.g., a subject with a familyhistory of porphyria, or a subject who is a carrier of a geneticmutation associated with porphyria).

Classifications of porphyrias, including acute hepatic porphyrias, aredescribed, e.g., in Balwani, M. & Desnick, R. J., Blood, 120(23),published online as Blood First Edition paper, July 12, 102; DOI10.1182/blood-2012-05-423186. As described in Balwain & Desnick, acuteintermittent porphyria (AIP) hereditary coproporphyria (HCP), variegateporphyria (VP) are autosomal dominant porphyrias and ALA deyhdratasedeficiency porphyria (ADP) is autosomal recessive. In rare cases, AIP,HCP, and VP occur as homozygous dominant forms. In addition, there is arare homozygous recessive form of porphyria cutanea tarda (PCT), whichis the single hepatic cutaneous porphyria, and is also known ashepatoerythropoietic porphyria. The clinical and laboratory features ofthese porphyrias are described in Table 11 below.

TABLE 11 Human hepatic porphyrias: clinical and laboratory featuresEnzyme Principal activity, Deficient symptoms, % of Increased porphyrinprecursors and/or porphyrins* Porphyria enzyme Inheritance NV or CPnormal Erythrocytes Urine Stool Acute hepatic porphyrias ADP ALA- AR NV ~5 Zn-protoporphyrin ALA, — dehydratase coproporphyrin III AIP HMB- ADNV ~50 — ALA, PBG, — synthase uroporphyrin HCP COPRO- AD NV and CP ~50 —ALA, PBG, coproporphyrin oxidase coproporphyrin III III VP PROTO- AD NVand CP ~50 — ALA, PBG coproporphyrin oxidase coproporphyrin III, IIIprotoporphyrin Hepatic cutaneous porphyrias PCT URO- Sporadic or CP <20— uroporphyrin, uroporphyrin, decarboxylase AD 7-carboxylate7-carboxylate porphyrin porphyrin AR indicates autosomal recessive; AD,autosomal dominant; NV, neurovisceral; CP, cutaneous photosensitivityand —, not applicable. *Increases that may be important for diagnosis.

In some embodiments, the subject has or is at risk for developing aporphyria, e.g., a hepatic porphyria, e.g., AIP, HCP, VP, ADP, orhepatoerythropoietic porphyria.

In some embodiments, the porphyria is an acute hepatic porphyria, e.g.,an acute hepatic porphyria is selected from acute intermittent porphyria(AIP), hereditary coproporphyria (HCP), variegate porphyria (VP), andALA deyhdratase deficiency porphyria (ADP).

In some embodiments, the porphyria is a dual porphyria, e.g., at leasttwo porphyrias. In some embodiments, the dual porphyria comprises two ormore porphyrias selected from acute intermittent porphyria (AIP)hereditary coproporphyria (HCP), variegate porphyria (VP), and ALAdeyhdratase deficiency porphyria (ADP).

In some embodiments, the porphyria is a homozygous dominant hepaticporphyria (e.g., homozygous dominant AIP, HCP, or VP) orhepatoerythropoietic porphyria, In some embodiments, the porphyria isAIP, HCP, VP, or hepatoerythropoietic porphyria, or a combinationthereof (e.g., a dual porphyria). In embodiments, the AIP, HCP, or VP iseither heterozygous dominant or homozygous dominant.

In embodiments, the subject has or is at risk for developing aporphyria, e.g., ADP, and shows an elevated level (e.g., an elevatedurine level) of ALA and/or coproporphyrin III. In embodiments, thesubject has or is at risk for developing a porphyria, e.g., ADP, andshows an elevated level of erythrocyte Zn-protoporphyrin.

In embodiments, the subject has or is at risk for developing aporphyria, e.g., AIP, and shows an elevated level (e.g., an elevatedurine level) of ALA, PBG, and/or uroporphyrin.

In embodiments, the subject has or is at risk for developing aporphyria, e.g., HCP, and shows an elevated level (e.g., an elevatedurine level) of ALA, PBG, and/or coproporphyrin III.

In embodiments, the subject has or is at risk for developing aporphyria, e.g., HCP, and shows an elevated level (e.g., an elevatedstool level) of coproporphyrin III.

In embodiments, the subject has or is at risk for developing aporphyria, e.g., VP, and shows an elevated level (e.g., an elevatedurine level) of ALA, PBG, and/or coproporphyrin III.

In embodiments, the subject has or is at risk for developing aporphyria, e.g., HCP, and shows an elevated level (e.g., an elevatedstool level) of coproporphyrin III and/or protoporphyrin.

In embodiments, the subject has or is at risk for developing aporphyria, e.g., PCT, (e.g., hepatoerythropoietic porphyria) and showsan elevated level (e.g., an elevated urine level) of uroporphyrin and/or7-carboxylate porphyrin. In embodiments, the subject has or is at riskfor developing a porphyria, e.g., PCT, (e.g., hepatoerythropoieticporphyria) and shows an elevated level (e.g., an elevated stool level)of uroporphyrin and/or 7-carboxylate porphyrin.

A mutation associated with porphyria includes any mutation in a geneencoding an enzyme in the heme biosynthetic pathway (porphyrin pathway)or a gene which alters the expression of a gene in the heme biosyntheticpathway. In many embodiments, the subject carries one or more mutationsin an enzyme of the porphyrin pathway (e.g., a mutation in ALAdeydratase or PBG deaminase). In some embodiments, the subject issuffering from an acute porphyria (e.g., AIP, ALA deydratase deficiencyporphyria).

In some cases, patients with an acute hepatic porphyria (e.g., AIP), orpatients who carry mutations associated with an acute hepatic porphyria(e.g., AIP) but who are asymptomatic, have elevated ALA and/or PBGlevels compared with healthy individuals. See, e.g., Floderus, Y. et al,Clinical Chemistry, 52(4): 701-707, 2006; Sardh et al., ClinicalPharmacokinetics, 46(4): 335-349, 2007. In such cases, the level of ALAand/or PBG can be elevated even when the patient is not having, or hasnever had, an attack. In some such cases, the patient is otherwisecompletely asymptomatic. In some such cases, the patient suffers frompain, e.g., neuropathic pain, which can be chronic pain (e.g., chronicneuropathic pain). In some cases, the patient has a neuropathy. In somecases, the patient has a progressive neuropathy.

In some embodiments, the subject to be treated according to the methodsdescribed herein has an elevated level of a porphyrin or a porphyrinprecursor, e.g., ALA and/or PBG. Levels of a porphyrin or a porphyrinprecursor can be assessed using methods known in the art or methodsdescribed herein. For example, methods of assessing uring and plasma ALAand PBG levels, as well as urine and plasma porphyrin levels, aredisclosed in Floderus, Y. et al, Clinical Chemistry, 52(4): 701-707,2006; and Sardh et al., Clinical Pharmacokinetics, 46(4): 335-349, 2007,the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated in their entirety.

In some embodiments, the subject is an animal model of a porphyria,e.g., a mouse model of a porphyria (e.g., a mutant mouse as described inLindberg et al. Nature Genetics, 12: 195-199, 1996). In someembodiments, the subject is a human, e.g., a human who has or is at riskfor developing a porphyria, as described herein. In some embodiments,the subject is not having an acute attack of porphyria. In someembodiments, the subject has never had an attack. In some embodiments,the patient suffers from chronic pain. In some embodiments, the patienthas nerve damage. In embodiments, the subject has EMG changes and/orchanges in nerve conduction velocity. In some embodiments, the subjectis asymptomatic. In some embodiments, the subject is at risk fordeveloping a porphyria (e.g., carries a gene mutation associated with aporphyria) and is asymptomatic. In some embodiments, the subject haspreviously had an acute attack but is asymptomatic at the time oftreatment.

In some embodiments, the subject is at risk for developing a porphyriaand is treated prophylactically to prevent the development of aporphyria. In some embodiments the subject has an elevated level of aporphyrin or a porphyrin precursor, e.g., ALA and/or PBG. In someembodiments, the prophylactic treatment begins at puberty. In someembodiments the treatment lowers the level (e.g., the plasma level orthe urine level) of a porphyrin or a porphyrin precursor, e.g., ALAand/or PBG. In some embodiments, the treatment prevents the developmentof an elevated level of a porphyrin or a porphyrin precursor, e.g., ALAand/or PBG. In some embodiments, the treatment prevents the developmentof, or decreases the frequency or severity of, a symptom associated witha porphyria, e.g., pain or nerve damage.

In some embodiments, the level of a porphyrin or a porphyrin precursor,e.g., ALA or PBG, is elevated, e.g., in a sample of plasma or urine fromthe subject. In some embodiments, the level of a porphyrin or aporphyrin precursor, e.g., ALA or PBG, in the subject is assessed basedon the absolute level of the porphyrin or the porphyrin precursor, e.g.,ALA or PBG in a sample from the subject. In some embodiments, the levelof a porphyrin or a porphyrin precursor, e.g., ALA or PBG, in thesubject is assessed based on the relative level of the porphyrin orporphyrin precursor, e.g., ALA or PBG, in a sample from the subject. Insome embodiments, the relative level is relative to the level of anotherprotein or compound, e.g., the level of creatinine, in a sample from thesubject. In some embodiments, the sample is a urine sample. In someembodiments, the sample is a plasma sample. In some embodiments, thesample is a stool sample.

An elevated level of a porphyrin or a porphyrin precursor, e.g., ALAand/or PBG, can be established, e.g., by showing that the subject has alevel of a porphyrin or a porphyrin precursor, e.g., ALA and/or PBG(e.g., a plasma or urine level of ALA and/or PBG) that is greater than,or greater than or equal to, a reference value. A physician withexpertise in the treatment of porphyrias would be able to determinewhether the level of a porphyrin or a porphyrin precursor, (e.g., ALAand/or PBG) is elevated, e.g., for the purpose of diagnosing a porphyriaor for determining whether a subject is at risk for developing aporphyria, e.g., a subject may be predisposed to an acute attack or topathology associated with a porphyria, such as, e.g., chronic pain(e.g., neuropathic pain) and neuropathy (e.g., progressive neuropathy).

As used herein, a “reference value” refers to a value from the subjectwhen the subject is not in a disease state, or a value from a normal orhealthy subject, or a value from a reference sample or population, e.g.,a group of normal or healthy subjects (e.g., a group of subjects thatdoes not carry a mutation associated with a porphyria and/or a group ofsubjects that does not suffer from symptoms associated with aporphyria).

In some embodiments, the reference value is a pre-disease level in thesame individual. In some embodiments, the reference value is a level ina reference sample or population. In some embodiments, the referencevalue is the mean or median value in a reference sample or population.In some embodiments, the reference value the value that is two standarddeviations above the mean in a reference sample or population. In someembodiments, the reference value is the value that is 2.5, 3, 3.5, 4,4.5, or 5 standard deviations above the mean in a reference sample orpopulation.

In some embodiments, wherein the subject has an elevated level of aporphyrin or a porphyrin precursor, e.g., ALA and/or PBG, the subjecthas a level of ALA and/or PBG that is at least 10%, 20%, 30%, 40%, 50%,60%, 70%, 80%, or 90% higher than a reference value. In someembodiments, the subject has a level of a porphyrin or a porphyrinprecursor, e.g., ALA and/or PBG, that is at least 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8,9, or 10 fold higher than a reference value.

In some embodiments, the reference value is an upper reference limit. Asused herein, an “upper reference limit” refers to a level that is theupper limit of the 95% confidence interval for a reference sample orpopulation, e.g., a group of normal (e.g., wild type) or healthyindividuals, e.g., individuals who do not carry a genetic mutationassociated with a porphyria and/or individuals who do not suffer from aporphyria. Accordingly, a lower reference limit refers to a level thatis the lower limit of the same 95% confidence interval.

In some embodiments wherein the subject has an elevated level, e.g., aplasma level or a urine level, of a porphyrin or a porphyrin precursor,e.g., ALA or PBG, the level is greater than or equal to 2 times, 3times, 4 times, or 5 times that of a reference value, e.g., an upperreference limit. In some embodiments, the subject has a urine level of aporphyrin or a porphyrin precursor, e.g., ALA or PBG, that is greaterthan 4 times that of an upper reference limit.

In some embodiments, the reference value is a value provided inFloderus, Y. et al, Clinical Chemistry, 52(4): 701-707, 2006 or Sardh etal., Clinical Pharmacokinetics, 46(4): 335-349, 2007. In someembodiments, the reference value is a value provided in Table 1 of Sardhet al.

In some embodiments, the subject is a human and has a urine level of PBGthat is greater than or equal to 4.8 mmol/mol creatinine. In certainembodiments, the subject is a human and has a urine level of PBG that isgreater than, or greater than or equal to, about 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, or 8mmol/mol creatinine.

In embodiments, the reference value for plasma PBG is 0.12 μmol/L. Inembodiments, the subject is a human and has a plasma PBG level that isgreater than, or greater than or equal to, 0.10 μmol/L, 0.12 μmol/L,0.24 μmol/L, 0.36 μmol/L, 0.48 μmol/L, or 0.60 μmol/L. In embodiments,the subject is a human and has a plasma level of PBG that is greaterthan, or greater than or equal to, 0.48 μmol/L.

In embodiments, the reference value for urine PBG is 1.2 mmol/molcreatinine. In embodiments, the subject is a human and has a urine PBGlevel that is greater than, or greater than or equal to, 1.0 mmol/molcreatinine, 1.2 mmol/mol creatinine, 2.4 mmol/mol creatinine, 3.6mmol/mol creatinine, 4.8 mmol/mol creatinine, or 6.0 mmol/molcreatinine. In embodiments, the subject is a human and has a urine levelof PBG that is greater than, or greater than or equal to, 4.8 mmol/molcreatinine.

In embodiments, the reference value for plasma ALA is 0.12 μmol/L. Inembodiments, the subject is a human and has a plasma ALA level that isgreater than, or greater than or equal to, 0.10 μmol/L, 0.12 μmol/L,0.24 μmol/L, 0.36 μmol/L, 0.48 μmol/L, or 0.60 μmol/L. In embodiments,the subject is a human and has a plasma ALA level that is greater than,or greater than or equal to 0.48 μmol/L.

In embodiments, the reference value for urine ALA is 3.1 mmol/molcreatinine. In embodiments, the subject is a human and has a urine ALAlevel that is greater than, or greater than or equal to, 2.5 mmol/molcreatinine, 3.1 mmol/mol creatinine, 6.2 mmol/mol creatinine, 9.3mmol/mol creatinine, 12.4 mmol/mol creatinine, or 15.5 mmol/molcreatinine.

In embodiments, the reference value for plasma porphyrin is 10 nmol/L.In embodiments, the subject is a human and has a plasma porphyrin levelthat is greater than, or greater than or equal to, 10 nmol/L. Inembodiments, the subject is a human and has a plasma porphyrin levelthat is greater than, or greater than or equal to, 8, 10, 15, 20, 25,30, 35, 40, 45, or 50 nmol/L. the subject is a human and has a plasmaporphyrin level that is greater than, or greater than or equal to 40nmol/L. In embodiments, the reference value for urine porphyrin is 25μmol/mol creatinine. In embodiments, the subject is a human and has aurine porphyrin level that is greater than, or greater than or equal to,25 μmol/mol creatinine. In embodiments, the subject is a human and has aurine porphyrin level that is greater than, or equal to, 20, 25, 30, 35,40, 45, 50, 55, 60, 65, 70, 75, or 80 μmol/mol creatinine.

In some embodiments, the subject has a level, e.g., a plasma level or aurine level, of a porphyrin or a porphyrin precursor, e.g., ALA or PBG,that is greater than that of 99% of individuals in a sample of healthyindividuals.

In some embodiments, the subject has a level, e.g., a plasma level or aurine level, of ALA or PBG that is greater than two standard deviationsabove the mean level in a sample of healthy individuals.

In some embodiments, the subject has a urine level of ALA that is 1.6 ormore times that of the mean level in a normal subject (e.g., a subjectthat does not carry a mutation associated with a porphyria). In someembodiments, the subject has a plasma level of ALA that is 2 or 3 timesthat of the mean level in a normal subject. In some embodiments, thesubject has a urine level of PBG that is four or more times that of themean level in a normal subject. In some embodiments, the subject has aplasma level of PBG that is four or more times that of the mean level ina normal subject.

In some embodiments, the method is effective to decrease the level of aporphyrin or a porphyrin precursor, e.g., ALA and/or PBG. Inembodiments, the method is effective to produce a predeterminedreduction in the elevated level of the porphyrin or porphyrin precursor,e.g., ALA or PBG. In some embodiments, the predetermined reduction is adecrease of at least 10%, 20%, 30%, 40%, or 50%. In some embodiments,the predetermined reduction is a reduction that is effective to preventor ameliorate symptoms, e.g., pain or recurring attacks.

In some embodiments, the predetermined reduction is a reduction that isat least 1, 2, 3, or more standard deviations, wherein the standarddeviation is determined based on the values from a reference sample,e.g., a reference sample as described herein.

In some embodiments, the predetermined reduction is a reduction thatbrings the level of the porphyrin or porphyrin precursor to a level thatis less than, or to a level that is less than or equal to, a referencevalue (e.g., a reference value as described herein).

In some embodiments, the subject to be treated according to the methodsdescribed suffers from pain, e.g., chronic pain. In some embodiments,the subject has or is at risk for developing a porphyria, e.g. an acutehepatic porphyria, e.g., AIP. In embodiments, the method is effective totreat the pain, e.g., by reducing the severity of the pain or curing thepain. In embodiments, the method is effective to decrease or preventnerve damage.

In some embodiments, the subject to be treated according to the methodsdescribed herein (a) has an elevated level of ALA and/or PBG and (b)suffers from pain, e.g., chronic pain. In embodiments, the method iseffective to decrease an elevated level of ALA and/or PBG and/or totreat the pain, e.g., by reducing the severity of the pain or curing thepain.

In some embodiments, the subject is an animal that serves as a model fora disorder related to ALAS1 expression.

In some embodiments the subject is an animal that serves as a model forporphyria (e.g., a genetically modified animal with one or moremutations. In some embodiments, the porphyria is AIP and the subject isan animal model of AIP. In one such embodiment, the subject is agenetically modified mouse that is deficient in porphobilinogendeaminase, such as, for example, the mouse described in Lindberg et al.,Nature Genetics, 12:195-199, 1996, or the homozygous R167Q mousedescribed in Yasuda, M., Yu, C. Zhang, J., Clavero, S., Edelmann, W.,Gan, L., Phillips, J. D., & Desnick, R. J. Acute intermittent porphyria:A severely affected knock-in mouse that mimics the human homozygousdominant phenotype. (Abstract of Presentation on Oct. 14, 2011 at theAmerican Society of Human Genetics; Program No. 1308F; accessed onlineon Apr. 4, 2012 at ichg2011.org/cgi-bin/showdetail.pl?absno=21167); bothof these references are hereby incorporated herein in their entirety.Several knock-in models for mutations causing homozygous dominant AIP inhumans have been generated. The mutations employed include, e.g., R167Q,R173Q, and R173W in PBG deaminase. Viable homozygotes included theR167Q/R176Q and R167Q/R173Q, both of which exhibit constitutivelyelevated ALA and PBG levels analogous to the phenotype in humanhomozygous dominant AIP; in some embodiments, such a viable homozygousAIP mouse model is the subject.

In one embodiment, a subject to be treated according to the methodsdescribed herein, (e.g., a human subject or patient), is at risk ofdeveloping, or has been diagnosed, with a disorder related to ALAS1expression, e.g. a porphyria. In some embodiments, the subject is asubject who has suffered one or more acute attacks of one or moreporphyric symptoms. In other embodiments, the subject is a subject whohas suffered chronically from one or more symptoms of porphyria (e.g.,pain, e.g., neuropathic pain and or neuropathy, e.g., progressiveneuropathy). In some embodiments, the subject carries a geneticalteration (e.g., a mutation) as described herein but is otherwiseasymptomatic. In some embodiments, the subject has previously beentreated with a heme product (e.g., hemin, heme arginate, or hemealbumin), as described herein.

In some embodiments, a subject (e.g., a subject with a porphyria, suchas, e.g., AIP) to be treated according to the methods described hereinhas recently experienced or is currently experiencing a prodrome. Insome such embodiments, the subject is administered a combinationtreatment, e.g., an iRNA as described herein, and one or more additionaltreatments known to be effective against porphyria (e.g., glucose and/ora heme product such as hemin, as described herein) or its associatedsymptoms.

In one embodiment, an iRNA as described herein is administered incombination with glucose or dextrose. For example, 10-20% dextrose innormal saline may be provided intravenously. Typically, when glucose isadministered, at least 300 g of 10% glucose is administeredintravenously daily. The iRNA (e.g., an iRNA in an LNP formulation) mayalso be administered intravenously, as part of the same infusion that isused to administer the glucose or dextrose, or as a separate infusionthat is administered before, concurrently, or after the administrationof the glucose or dextrose. In some embodiments, the iRNA isadministered via a different route of administration (e.g.,subcutaneously). In yet another embodiment, the iRNA is administered incombination with total parenteral nutrition. The iRNA may beadministered before, concurrent with, or after the administration oftotal parenteral nutrition.

In one embodiment, the iRNA is administered in combination with a hemeproduct (e.g., hemin, heme arginate, or heme albumin). In a furtherembodiment, the iRNA is administered in combination with a heme productand glucose, a heme product and dextrose, or a heme product and totalparenteral nutrition.

A “prodrome,” as used herein, includes any symptom that the individualsubject has previously experienced immediately prior to developing anacute attack. Typical symptoms of a prodrome include, e.g., abdominalpain, nausea, headaches, psychological symptoms (e.g., anxiety),restlessness and/or insomnia. In some embodiments, the subjectexperiences pain (e.g., abdominal pain and/or a headache) during theprodrome. In some embodiments, the subject experiences nausea during theprodrome. In some embodiments, the subject experiences psychologicalsymptoms (e.g., anxiety) during the prodrome. In some embodiments, thesubject becomes restless and/or suffers from insomnia during theprodrome.

An acute “attack” of porphyria involves the onset of one or moresymptoms of porphyria, typically in a patient who carries a mutationassociated with porphyria (e.g., a mutation in a gene that encodes anenzyme in the porphyrin pathway).

In certain embodiments, administration of an ALAS1 iRNA results in adecrease in the level of one or more porphyrins or porphyrin precursors,as described herein (e.g., ALA and/or PBG). The decrease may be measuredrelative to any appropriate control or reference value. For example, thedecrease in the level of one or more porphyrins or porphyrin precursorsmay be established in an individual subject, e.g., as a decrease of atleast 5%, 10%, 15%, 20%, 25%, 30%, 35%, 40%, 45%, 50% or more comparedwith the level prior to treatment (e.g., immediately prior totreatment). A decrease in the level of a porphyrin precursor, aporphyrin, or or a porphyrin metabolite may be measured using any methodknown in the art. For example, the level of PBG and/or ALA in urine orplasma may be assessed, using the Watson-Schwartz test, ion exchangechromatography, or high-performance liquid chromatography—massspectrometry. See, e.g., Thunell (1993).

In some embodiments, administration of an ALAS1 siRNA is effective toreduce the level of ALA and/or PBG in the subject. The level of ALA orPBG in the subject can be assessed, e.g., based on the absolute level ofALA or PBG, or based on the relative level of ALA or PBG (e.g., relativeto the level of another protein or compound, e.g., the level ofcreatinine) in a sample from the subject. In some embodiments, thesample is a urine sample. In some embodiments, the sample is a plasmasample.

In certain embodiments, an iRNA that targets ALAS1 is administered incombination one or more additional treatments, e.g., another treatmentknown to be effective in treating porphyria or symptoms of porphyria.For example, the other treatment may be glucose (e.g., IV glucose) or aheme product (e.g., hemin, heme arginate, or heme albumin). Theadditional treatment(s) may be administered before, after, or concurrentwith the administration of iRNA.

The iRNA and an additional therapeutic agent can be administered incombination in the same composition, e.g., intravenously, or theadditional therapeutic agent can be administered as part of a separatecomposition or by another method described herein.

In some embodiments, administration of iRNA, or administration of iRNAin combination one or more additional treatments (e.g., glucose,dextrose or the like), decreases the frequency of acute attacks (e.g.,by preventing acute attacks so that they no longer occur, or by reducingthe number of attacks that occur in a certain time period, e.g., fewerattacks occur per year). In some such embodiments, the iRNA isadministered according to a regular dosing regimen, e.g., daily, weekly,biweekly, or monthly.

In some embodiments, the iRNA is administered after an acute attack ofporphyria. In some such embodiments, the iRNA is in a composition, e.g.a composition comprising a lipid formulation, e.g. an LNP formulation.

In some embodiments, the iRNA is administered during an acute attack ofporphyria. In some such embodiments, the iRNA is in a composition, e.g.a composition comprising a lipid formulation (e.g., an LNP formulation)or a composition comprising a GalNAc conjugate.

In some embodiments, administration of an ALAS1 siRNA is effective tolessen the severity of the attack (e.g., by ameliorating one or moresigns or symptoms associated with the attack). In some embodiments,administration of an ALAS1 siRNA is effective to shorten the duration ofan attack. In some embodiments, administration of an ALAS1 siRNA iseffective to stop an attack. In some embodiments, the iRNA isadministered prophylactically to prevent an acute attack of porphyria.In some such embodiments, the iRNA is in the form of a GalNAc conjugate,e.g., in a composition comprising a GalNAc conjugate. In someembodiments, the prophylactic administration is before, during, or afterexposure to or occurrence of a precipitating factor. In someembodiments, the subject is at risk of developing porphyria.

In some embodiments, the siRNA is administered during a prodrome. Insome embodiments, the prodrome is characterized by pain (e.g., headacheand/or abdominal pain), nausea, psychological symptoms (e.g., anxiety),restlessness and/or insomnia.

In some embodiments, the siRNA is administered during a particular phaseof the menstrual cycle, e.g., during the luteal phase.

In some embodiments, administration of an ALAS1 siRNA is effective toprevent attacks (e.g., recurrent attacks that are associated with aprodrome and/or with a precipitating factor, e.g., with a particularphase of the menstrual cycle, e.g., the luteal phase). In someembodiments, administration of an ALAS1 siRNA is effective to reduce thefrequency of attacks. In embodiments, administration of an ALAS1 siRNAis effective to lessen the severity of the attack (e.g., by amelioratingone or more signs or symptoms associated with the attack). In someembodiments, administration of an ALAS1 siRNA is effective to shortenthe duration of an attack. In some embodiments, administration of anALAS1 siRNA is effective to stop an attack.

In some embodiments administration of an ALAS1 siRNA is effective toprevent or decrease the frequency or severity of pain, e.g., neuropathicpain.

In some embodiments administration of an ALAS1 siRNA is effective toprevent or decrease the frequency or severity of neuropathy

Effects of administration of an ALAS1 siRNA can be established, forexample, by comparison with an appropriate control. For example, adecrease in the frequency of acute attacks, as well as a decrease in thelevel of one or more porphyrins or porphyrin precursors, may beestablished, for example, in a group of patients with AIP, as adecreased frequency compared with an appropriate control group. Acontrol group (e.g., a group of similar individuals or the same group ofindividuals in a crossover design) may include, for example, anuntreated population, a population that has been treated with aconventional treatment for porphyria (e.g., a conventional treatment forAIP may include glucose, hemin, or both); a population that has beentreated with placebo, or a non-targeting iRNA, optionally in combinationwith one or more conventional treatments for porphyria (e.g., glucose,e.g., IV glucose), and the like.

A subject “at risk” of developing porphyria, as used herein, includes asubject with a family history of porphyria and/or a history of one ormore recurring or chronic porphyric symptoms, and/or a subject whocarries a genetic alteration (e.g., a mutation) in a gene encoding anenzyme of the heme biosynthetic pathway, and a subject who carries agenetic alteration, e.g., a mutation. known to be associated withporphyria.

In embodiments, the alteration, e.g., the mutation, makes an individualsusceptible to an acute attack (e.g., upon exposure to a precipitatingfactor, e.g., a drug, dieting or other precipitating factor, e.g., aprecipitating factor as disclosed herein). In embodiments, thealteration, e.g., the mutation, is associated with elevated levels of aporphyrin or a porphyrin precursor (e.g., ALA and/or PBG). Inembodiments, the alteration, e.g., the mutation, is associated withchronic pain (e.g., chronic neuropathic pain) and/or neuropathy (e.g.,progressive neuropathy). In embodiments, the, the alteration, e.g., themutation, is associated with changes in EMG and/or nerve conductionvelocities.

In embodiments, the alteration is a mutation in the ALAS1 gene. Inembodiments, the alteration is a mutation in the ALAS1 gene promoter, orin regions upstream or downstream from the ALAS1 gene. In embodiments,the alteration is a mutation in transcription factors or other genesthat interact with ALAS1. In embodiments, the alteration is analteration, e.g., a mutation, in a gene that encodes an enzyme in theheme biosynthetic pathway.

In some embodiments, the subject has an genetic alteration as describedherein (e.g., a genetic mutation known to be associated with aporphyria). In some such embodiments, the subject has an elevated level(e.g., urine or plasma level) of ALA and/or PBG. In some suchembodiments, the subject does not have an elevated level of ALA and/orPBG. In embodiments, the subject has a genetic alteration as describedherein and has other symptoms, e.g., chronic pain, EMG changes, changesin nerve conduction velocity, and/or other symptoms associated with aporphyria. In embodiments, the subject has a genetic alteration but doesnot suffer from acute attacks.

In embodiments, the subject has a mutation associated with AIP, HCP, VP,or ADP.

In some embodiments, the porphyria is AIP. In some such embodiments, thesubject has an alteration, e.g., at least one mutation, in the PBGdeaminase gene. Many PBG deaminase mutations are known in the art, forexample, as reported in Hrdinka, M. et al. Physiological Research, 55(Suppl 2):S119-136 (2006). In some embodiments, the subject isheterozygous for a PBG deaminase mutation. In other embodiments, thesubject is homozygous for a PBG deaminase mutation. A homozygous subjectmay carry two identical mutations or two different mutations in the PBGdeaminase gene.

In some embodiments, the porphyria is HCP. In some such embodiments, thesubject has an alteration, e.g., at least one mutation, in the gene thatencodes the enzyme coproporphyrinogen III oxidase.

In some embodiments, the porphyria is VP. In some such embodiments, thesubject has an alteration, e.g., at least one mutation, in the gene thatencodes protoporphrinogen oxidase.

In embodiments, the porphyria is ADP, e.g., autosomal recessive ADP. Insome such embodiments, the subject has an alteration, e.g., at least onemutation, in the gene that encodes ALA deydratase.

Methods of treatment provided herein may serve to ameliorate one or moresymptoms associated with porphyria, to reduce the frequency of attacksassociated with porphyria, to reduce the likelihood that an attack ofone or more symptoms associated with porphyria will occur upon exposureto a precipitating factor, or to reduce the risk of developingconditions associated with porphyria (e.g., neuropathy (e.g.,progressive neuropathy), hepatocellular cancer). Additionally, themethods provided herein may serve to decrease the level of one or moreporphyrin precursors, porphyrins and/or related porphyrin products ormetabolites. The level of a porphyrin precursor or a porhyrin may bemeasured in any biological sample, such as, e.g., urine, blood, feces,cerebrospinal fluid, or a tissue sample. The sample may be presentwithin a subject or may be obtained or extracted from the subject. Insome embodiments, the porphyria is AIP, and the level of PBG and/or ALAis decreased. In some embodiments, the porphyrin product or metaboliteis porphobilin, porphobilinogen, or uroporphyrin. A decrease in thelevel of a porphyrin product or metabolite may be measured using anymethod known in the art. For example, the level of PBG and/or ALA inurine or plasma may be assessed, using the Watson-Schwartz test, ionexchange chromatography, or high-performance liquid chromatography—massspectrometry. See, e.g., Thunell (1993).

Methods described herein may also serve to reduce chronically elevatedlevels of porphyrin precursors (e.g., ALA and/or PBG) in subjectssuffering from a porphyria (e.g., an acute hepatic porphyria, e.g., AIP)or at risk for developing a porphyria. Methods for assessing plasma andurine levels (e.g., chronically elevated levels) of porphyrin precursorsinclude, e.g., HPLC-mass spectrometry and ion-exchange chromatography.The levels of porphyrin precursors may be expressed as the levelrelative to another protein or compound, e.g., creatinine. See, e.g.,Floderus, Y. et al, Clinical Chemistry, 52(4): 701-707, 2006; Sardh etal., Clinical Pharmacokinetics, 46(4): 335-349, 2007

A “precipitating factor” as used herein, refers to an endogenous orexogenous factor that may induce an acute attack of one or more symptomsassociated with porphyria. Precipitating factors include fasting (orother forms of reduced or inadequate caloric intake, due to crash diets,long-distance athletics, etc.), metabolic stresses (e.g., infections,surgery, international air travel, and psychological stress), endogenoushormones (e.g., progesterone), cigarette smoking, lipid-soluble foreignchemicals (including, e.g., chemicals present in tobacco smoke, certainprescription drugs, organic solvents, biocides, components in alcoholicbeverages), endocrine factors (e.g., reproductive hormones (women mayexperience exacerbations during the premenstrual period), syntheticestrogens, progesterones, ovulation stimulants, and hormone replacementtherapy). See, for example, Thunell (1993). Common precipitating factorsinclude cytochrome P450 inducing drugs and phenobarbitol.

Symptoms associated with porphyria may include abdominal pain orcramping, headaches, effects caused by nervous system abnormalities, andlight sensitivity, causing rashes, blistering, and scarring of the skin(photodermatitis). In certain embodiments, the porphyria is AIP.Symptoms of AIP include gastrointestinal symptoms (e.g., severe andpoorly localized abdominal pain, nausea/vomiting, constipation,diarrhea, ileus), urinary symptoms (dysuria, urinaryretention/incontinence, or dark urine), neurologic symptoms (e.g.,sensory neuropathy, motor neuropathy (e.g., affecting the cranial nervesand/or leading to weakness in the arms or legs), seizures, neuropathicpain, progressive neuropathy, headaches, neuropsychiatric symptoms(e.g., mental confusion, anxiety, agitation, hallucination, hysteria,delirium, apathy, depression, phobias, psychosis, insomnia, somnolence,coma), autonomic nervous system involvement (resulting e.g., incardiovascular symptoms such as tachycardia, hypertension, and/orarrhythmias, as well as other symptoms, such as, e.g., increasedcirculating catecholamine levels, sweating, restlessness, and/ortremor), dehydration, and electrolyte abnormalities.

In some embodiments, an iRNA targeting ALAS1 is administered togetherwith (e.g., before, after, or concurrent with) another treatment thatmay serve to alleviate one or more of the above symptoms. For example,abdominal pain may be treated, e.g., with narcotic analgesics, seizuresmay be treated, e.g., with anti-seizure medications, nausea/vomiting maybe treated, e.g., with phenothiazines, and tachycardia/hypertension maybe treated, e.g., with beta blockers.

The term “decrease” (or “increase”) is intended to refer to a measurablechange, e.g., a statistically significant change. The change may be, forexample, at least 5%, 10%, 20%, 30%, 40%, 50% or more change (e.g.,decrease (or increase) relative to a reference value, e.g., a referencewhere no iRNA is provided).

The invention further relates to the use of an iRNA or a pharmaceuticalcomposition thereof, e.g., for treating a disorder related to ALAS1expression, in combination with other pharmaceuticals and/or othertherapeutic methods, e.g., with known pharmaceuticals and/or knowntherapeutic methods, such as, for example, those which are currentlyemployed for treating the disorder. In one embodiment, the iRNA orpharmaceutical composition thereof can be administered in conjunctionwith a heme product (e.g., hemin, heme arginate, or heme albumin, asdescribed herein) and/or in conjunction with intravenous glucoseinfusions. In some embodiments, the iRNA or pharmaceutical compositionthereof is used prophylactically, e.g., to prevent or amelioratesymptoms of an anticipated attack of acute porphyria. The prophylacticuse may be timed according to the exposure or anticipated exposure ofthe subject to a precipitating factor. As described herein, aprecipitating factor may be any endogenous or exogenous factor known toprecipitate an acute attack. For example, the premenstrual phase is anendogenous precipitating factor, and a cytochrome P450 inducing drug isan exogenous precipitating factor.

The effective amount for the treatment of a disorder related to ALAS1expression (e.g., a porphyria such as AIP) depends on the type ofdisorder to be treated, the severity of the symptoms, the subject beingtreated, the sex, age and general condition of the subject, the mode ofadministration and so forth. For any given case, an appropriate“effective amount” can be determined by one of ordinary skill in the artusing routine experimentation. It is well within the ability of oneskilled in the art to monitor efficacy of treatment or prevention bymeasuring any one of such parameters, or any combination of parameters.In connection with the administration of an iRNA targeting ALAS1 orpharmaceutical composition thereof, “effective against” a disorderrelated to ALAS1 expression indicates that administration in aclinically appropriate manner results in a beneficial effect, e.g., foran individual patient or for at least a fraction of patients, e.g., astatistically significant fraction of patients. Beneficial effectsinclude, e.g., prevention of or reduction of symptoms or other effects.For example, beneficial effects include, e.g., an improvement (e.g.,decrease in the severity or frequency) of symptoms, a reduction in theseverity or frequency of attacks, a reduced risk of developingassociated disease (e.g., neuropathy (e.g., progressive neuropathy),hepatocellular cancer), an improved ability to tolerate a precipitatingfactor, an improvement in quality of life, a reduction in the expressionof ALAS1, a reduction in a level (e.g., a plasma or urine level) of aporphyrin or a porphyrin precursor (e.g., ALA and/or PBG) or othereffect generally recognized as positive by medical doctors familiar withtreating the particular type of disorder.

A treatment or preventive effect is evident when there is animprovement, e.g., a statistically significant improvement in one ormore parameters of disease status, or by a failure to worsen or todevelop symptoms where they would otherwise be anticipated. As anexample, a favorable change of at least 10% in a measurable parameter ofdisease, e.g., at least 20%, 30%, 40%, 50% or more can be indicative ofeffective treatment. Efficacy for a given iRNA drug or formulation ofthat drug can also be judged using an experimental animal model for thegiven disease as known in the art. When using an experimental animalmodel, efficacy of treatment is evidenced when a statisticallysignificant reduction in a marker (e.g., plasma or urinary ALA or PBG)or symptom is observed.

Patients can be administered a therapeutic amount of iRNA. Thetherapeutic amount can be, e.g., 0.05-50 mg/kg. For example, thetherapeutic amount can be 0.05, 0.1, 0.2, 0.3, 0.4, 0.5, 0.6, 0.7, 0.8,0.9, 1.0, 1.5, 2.0, or 2.5, 3.0, 3.5, 4.0, 4.5, 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30,35, 40, 45, or 50 mg/kg dsRNA.

In some embodiments, the iRNA is formulated as a lipid formulation,e.g., an LNP formulation as described herein. In some such embodiments,the therapeutic amount is 0.05-5 mg/kg, e.g., 0.05, 0.1, 0.2, 0.3, 0.4,0.5, 0.6, 0.7, 0.8, 0.9, 1.0, 1.5, 2.0, 2.5, 3.0, 3.5, 4.0, 4.5, or 5.0mg/kg dsRNA. In some embodiments, the lipid formulation, e.g., LNPformulation, is administered intravenously.

In some embodiments, the iRNA is administered by intravenous infusionover a period of time, such as over a 5 minute, 10 minute, 15 minute, 20minute, or 25 minute period.

In some embodiments, the iRNA is in the form of a GalNAc conjugate asdescribed herein. In some such embodiments, the therapeutic amount is0.5-50 mg, e.g., 0.5, 0.6, 0.7, 0.8, 0.9, 1.0, 1.5, 2.0, 2.5, 3.0, 3.5,4.0, 4.5, 5.0, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, or 50 mg/kgdsRNA. In some embodiments, the GalNAc conjugate is administeredsubcutaneously.

In some embodiments, the administration is repeated, for example, on aregular basis, such as, daily, biweekly (i.e., every two weeks) for onemonth, two months, three months, four months or longer. After an initialtreatment regimen, the treatments can be administered on a less frequentbasis. For example, after administration biweekly for three months,administration can be repeated once per month, for six months or a yearor longer.

In some embodiments, the iRNA agent is administered in two or moredoses. In some embodiments, the number or amount of subsequent doses isdependent on the achievement of a desired effect, e.g., suppression of aALAS gene, reduction of a level of a porphyrin or porphyrin precursor(e.g., ALA and/or PBG), or the achievement of a therapeutic orprophylactic effect, e.g., reduction or prevention of one or moresymptoms associated with porphyria (e.g., pain, e.g., neuropathic pain),and/or prevention of attacks or reduction in the frequency and/orseverity of attacks associated with porphyria.

In some embodiments, the iRNA agent is administered according to aschedule. For example, the iRNA agent may be administered once per week,twice per week, three times per week, four times per week, or five timesper week. In some embodiments, the schedule involves regularly spacedadministrations, e.g., hourly, every four hours, every six hours, everyeight hours, every twelve hours, daily, every 2 days, every 3 days,every 4 days, every 5 days, weekly, biweekly, or monthly. Inembodiments, the iRNA agent is administered weekly or biweekly toachieve a desired effect, e.g., to decrease the level of ALA and/or PBG,to decrease pain, and/or to prevent acute attacks.

In embodiments, the schedule involves closely spaced administrationsfollowed by a longer period of time during which the agent is notadministered. For example, the schedule may involve an initial set ofdoses that are administered in a relatively short period of time (e.g.,about every 6 hours, about every 12 hours, about every 24 hours, aboutevery 48 hours, or about every 72 hours) followed by a longer timeperiod (e.g., about 1 week, about 2 weeks, about 3 weeks, about 4 weeks,about 5 weeks, about 6 weeks, about 7 weeks, or about 8 weeks) duringwhich the iRNA agent is not administered. In one embodiment, the iRNAagent is initially administered hourly and is later administered at alonger interval (e.g., daily, weekly, biweekly, or monthly). In anotherembodiment, the iRNA agent is initially administered daily and is lateradministered at a longer interval (e.g., weekly, biweekly, or monthly).In certain embodiments, the longer interval increases over time or isdetermined based on the achievement of a desired effect. In a specificembodiment, the iRNA agent is administered once daily during an acuteattack, followed by weekly dosing starting on the eighth day ofadministration. In another specific embodiment, the iRNA agent isadministered every other day during a first week followed by weeklydosing starting on the eighth day of administration.

In one embodiment, the iRNA agent is administered to prevent or reducethe severity or frequency of recurring attacks, e.g., cyclical attacksassociated with a precipitating factor. In some embodiments, theprecipitating factor is the menstrual cycle. In some embodiments, theiRNA is administered repeatedly, e.g., at regular intervals to preventor reduce the severity or frequency of recurring attacks, e.g., cyclicalattacks associated with a precipitating factor, e.g., the menstrualcycle, e.g., a particular phase of the menstrual cycle, e.g., the lutealphase. In some embodiments, the iRNA is administered during a particularphase of the menstrual cycle or based on hormone levels of the patientbeing treated (e.g., based on hormone levels that are associated with aparticular phase of the menstrual cycle). In some embodiments, the iRNAis administered on one or more particular days of the menstrual cycle,e.g., on day 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13, 14, 15, 16, 17,18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, or on day 28 (or later day forsubjects who have a longer menstrual cycle). In some embodiments, theiRNA is administered during the luteal phase, e.g., on one or more daysbetween days 14-28 of the menstrual cycle (or later, in subjects whohave a menstrual cycle longer than 28 days). In some embodiments,ovulation of the subject is assessed (e.g., using a blood or urine testthat detects a hormone associated with ovulation, e.g., LH) and the iRNAis administered at a predetermined interval after ovulation. In someembodiments, the iRNA is administered immediately after ovulation. Insome embodiments, the iRNA is administered 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9,10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, or 18 days after ovulation. Any of theseschedules may optionally be repeated for one or more iterations. Thenumber of iterations may depend on the achievement of a desired effect,e.g., the suppression of a ALAS1 gene and/or the achievement of atherapeutic or prophylactic effect, e.g., reduce or prevent one or moresymptoms associated with porphyria, to reduce the frequency of attacksassociated with porphyria.

In some embodiments, an initial dose of the iRNA agent is administeredand the level of ALA or PBG is tested, e.g., 1-48 hours, e.g., 2, 4, 8,12, or 24 hours following administration of the initial dose. In someembodiments, if the level of ALA and/or PBG has decreased (e.g., toachieve a predetermined reduction, e.g., a normalization), and/or if thesymptoms associated with porphyria (e.g., pain) have improved (e.g.,such that the patient is asymptomatic), no further dose is administered,whereas if the level of ALA and/or PBG has not decreased (e.g., has notachieved a predetermined reduction, e.g., has not normalized), a furtherdose of ALA or PBG is administered. In some embodiments, the furtherdose is administered 12, 24, 36, 48, 60, or 72 hours after the initialdose. In some embodiments, if the initial dose is not effective todecrease the level of ALA and/or PBG, the further dose is modified,e.g., increased to achieve a desired decrease (e.g., a predeterminedreduction, e.g., a normalization) in ALA or PBG levels.

In some embodiments, the predetermined reduction is a decrease of atleast 10%, 20%, 30%, 40%, or 50%. In some embodiments, the predeterminedreduction is a reduction that is effective to prevent or amelioratesymptoms, e.g., pain, prodromal symptoms, or recurring attacks.

In some embodiments, the predetermined reduction is a reduction of atleast 1, 2, 3, or more standard deviations, wherein the standarddeviation is determined based on the values from a reference sample,e.g., a reference sample as described herein.

In some embodiments, the predetermined reduction is a reduction thatbrings the level of the porphyrin or porphyrin precursor to a level thatis less than, or to a level that is less than or equal to, a referencevalue (e.g., a reference value as described herein).

As used herein, a “normalization” in ALA or PBG levels (or a “normal” or“normalized” level) refers to a level (e.g., a urine and/or plasmalevel) of either ALA, or PBG, or both, that is within the expected rangefor a healthy individual, an individual who is asymptomatic (e.g., anindividual who does not experience pain and/or suffer from neuropathy),or an individual who does not have a mutation associated with aporphyria. For example, in some embodiments, a normalized level iswithin two standard deviations of the normal mean. In some embodiments,a normalized level is within normal reference limits, e.g., within the95% confidence interval for an appropriate control sample, e.g., asample of healthy individuals or individuals who do not carry a genemutation associated with a porphyria. In some embodiments, the ALAand/or PBG level of the subject (e.g., the urine and/or plasma ALAand/or PBG level) is monitored at intervals, a further dose of the iRNAagent is administered when the level increases above the reference value

Administration of the iRNA may reduce ALAS1 mRNA or protein levels,e.g., in a cell, tissue, blood, urine or other compartment of thepatient by at least 10%, at least 15%, at least 20%, at least 25%, atleast 30%, at least 40%, at least 50%, at least 60%, at least 70%, atleast 80% or at least 90% or more. Administration of the iRNA may reducelevels of products associated with ALAS1 gene expression, e.g., levelsof one or more porphyrins or porphyrin precursors (e.g., the level ofALA and/or PBG). Administration of the iRNA agent may also inhibit orprevent the upregulation of ALAS1 mRNA or protein levels during an acuteattack of AIP.

Before administration of a full dose of the iRNA, patients can beadministered a smaller dose, such as a 5% infusion dose, and monitoredfor adverse effects, such as an allergic reaction, or for elevated lipidlevels or blood pressure. In another example, the patient can bemonitored for unwanted effects.

Methods for Modulating Expression of an ALAS1 Gene

In yet another aspect, the invention provides a method for modulating(e.g., inhibiting or activating) the expression of an ALAS1 gene, e.g.,in a cell or in a subject. In some embodiments, the cell is ex vivo, invitro, or in vivo. In some embodiments, the cell is an erythroid cell ora hepatocyte. In some embodiments, the cell is in a subject (e.g., amammal, such as, for example, a human). In some embodiments, the subject(e.g., the human) is at risk, or is diagnosed with a disease related toALAS1 expression, as described above.

In one embodiment, the method includes contacting the cell with an iRNAas described herein, in an amount effective to decrease the expressionof an ALAS1 gene in the cell. “Contacting,” as used herein, includesdirectly contacting a cell, as well as indirectly contacting a cell. Forexample, a cell within a subject (e.g., an erythroid cell or a livercell, such as a hepatocyte) may be contacted when a compositioncomprising an iRNA is administered (e.g., intravenously orsubcutaneously) to the subject.

The expression of an ALAS1 gene may be assessed based on the level ofexpression of an ALAS1 mRNA, an ALAS1 protein, or the level of aparameter functionally linked to the level of expression of an ALAS1gene (e.g., the level of a porphyrin or the incidence or severity of asymptom related to a porphyria). In some embodiments, the expression ofALAS1 is inhibited by at least 5%, at least 10%, at least 15%, at least20%, at least 25%, at least 30%, at least 35%, at least 40%, at least45%, at least 50%, at least 55%, at least 60%, at least 65%, at least70%, at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 90%, or at least95%. In some embodiments, the iRNA has an IC₅₀ in the range of0.001-0.01 nM, 0.001-0.10 nM, 0.001-1.0 nM, 0.001-10 nM, 0.01-0.05 nM,0.01-0.50 nM, 0.02-0.60 nM, 0.01-1.0 nM, 0.01-1.5 nM, 0.01-10 nM. TheIC₅₀ value may be normalized relative to an appropriate control value,e.g., the IC₅₀ of a non-targeting iRNA.

In some embodiments, the method includes introducing into the cell aniRNA as described herein and maintaining the cell for a time sufficientto obtain degradation of the mRNA transcript of an ALAS1 gene, therebyinhibiting the expression of the ALAS1 gene in the cell.

In one embodiment, the method includes administering a compositiondescribed herein, e.g., a composition comprising an iRNA that targetsALAS1, to the mammal such that expression of the target ALAS1 gene isdecreased, such as for an extended duration, e.g., at least two, three,four days or more, e.g., one week, two weeks, three weeks, or four weeksor longer. In some embodiments, the decrease in expression of ALAS1 isdetectable within 1 hour, 2 hours, 4 hours, 8 hours, 12 hours, or 24hours of the first administration.

In another embodiment, the method includes administering a compositionas described herein to a mammal such that expression of the target ALAS1gene is increased by e.g., at least 10% compared to an untreated animal.In some embodiments, the activation of ALAS1 occurs over an extendedduration, e.g., at least two, three, four days or more, e.g., one week,two weeks, three weeks, four weeks, or more. Without wishing to be boundby theory, an iRNA can activate ALAS1 expression by stabilizing theALAS1 mRNA transcript, interacting with a promoter in the genome, and/orinhibiting an inhibitor of ALAS1 expression.

The iRNAs useful for the methods and compositions featured in theinvention specifically target RNAs (primary or processed) of an ALAS1gene. Compositions and methods for inhibiting the expression of an ALAS1gene using iRNAs can be prepared and performed as described elsewhereherein.

In one embodiment, the method includes administering a compositioncontaining an iRNA, where the iRNA includes a nucleotide sequence thatis complementary to at least a part of an RNA transcript of the ALAS1gene of the mammal to be treated. When the organism to be treated is amammal such as a human, the composition may be administered by any meansknown in the art including, but not limited to oral, intraperitoneal, orparenteral routes, including intracranial (e.g., intraventricular,intraparenchymal and intrathecal), intravenous, intramuscular,subcutaneous, transdermal, airway (aerosol), nasal, rectal, and topical(including buccal and sublingual) administration.

In certain embodiments, the compositions are administered by intravenousinfusion or injection. In some such embodiments, the compositionscomprise a lipid formulated siRNA (e.g., an LNP formulation, such as anLNP11 formulation) for intravenous infusion. In particular embodiments,such compositions may be used to treat acute attacks of porphyria and/orfor prophylaxis (e.g., to decrease the severity or frequency ofattacks).

In other embodiments, the compositions are administered subcutaneously.In some such embodiments, the compositions comprise an iRNA conjugatedto a GalNAc ligand. In particular embodiments, such compositions may beused to treat acute attacks of porphyria or for prophylaxis (e.g., todecrease the severity or frequency of attacks).

Methods for Decreasing a Level of a Porphyrin or Porphyrin Precursor

In another aspect, the invention provides a method for decreasing alevel of a porphyrin or a porphyrin precursor, e.g., in a cell or in asubject.

In some embodiments, the cell is ex vivo, in vitro, or in vivo. In someembodiments, the cell is an erythroid cell or a hepatocyte. In someembodiments, the cell is a hepatocyte. In some embodiments, the cell isin a subject (e.g., a mammal, such as, for example, a human).

In some embodiments, the subject (e.g., the human) is at risk, or isdiagnosed with a porphyria, as described herein. In some embodiments,the method is effective to treat a porphyria as described herein (e.g.,by ameliorating one or more symptoms associated with a porphyria,reducing the frequency of attacks associated with a porphyria, reducingthe likelihood that an attack of one or more symptoms associated withporphyria will occur upon exposure to a precipitating factor, orreducing the risk of developing conditions associated with a porphyria(e.g., neuropathy (e.g., progressive neuropathy), hepatocellularcancer). In one embodiment, the method includes contacting the cell withan RNAi, as described herein, in an amount sufficient to decrease thelevel of the porphyrin or porphyrin precursor (e.g., ALA or PBG) in thecell, or in another related cell or group of cells, or in the subject.“Contacting,” as used herein, includes directly contacting a cell, aswell as indirectly contacting a cell. For example, a cell within asubject (e.g., an erythroid cell or a liver cell, such as a hepatocyte)may be contacted when a composition comprising an RNAi is administered(e.g., intravenously or subcutaneously) to the subject. “Another relatedcell or group of cells,” as used herein, includes any cell or group ofcells in which the level of the porphyrin or porphyrin precursordecreases as a result of the contacting. For example, the cell may bepart of a tissue present within a subject (e.g., a liver cell presentwithin a subject), and contacting the cell within the subject (e.g.,contacting one or more liver cells present within a subject) with theRNAi may result in a decrease in the level of the porphyrin or porphyrinprecursor in another related cell or group of cells (e.g., nerve cellsof the subject), or in a tissue or fluid of the subject (e.g., in theurine, blood, plasma, or cerebrospinal fluid of the subject).

In some embodiments, the porphyrin or porphyrin precursor is selectedfrom the group consisting of δ-aminolevulinic acid (ALA),porphopilinogen (PBG), hydroxymethylbilane (HMB), uroporphyrinogen III,coproporphyrinogen III, protoporphrinogen IX, and protoporphyrin IX Insome embodiments the porphyrin precursor is ALA. In some embodiments,the porphyrin precursor is PBG. In some embodiments, the methoddecreases the level of ALA and PBG. The level of a porphyrin or aporphyrin precursor may be measured as described herein and as known inthe art.

Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used hereinhave the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill inthe art to which this invention belongs. Although methods and materialssimilar or equivalent to those described herein can be used in thepractice or testing of the iRNAs and methods featured in the invention,suitable methods and materials are described below. All publications,patent applications, patents, and other references mentioned herein areincorporated by reference in their entirety. In case of conflict, thepresent specification, including definitions, will control. In addition,the materials, methods, and examples are illustrative only and notintended to be limiting.

EXAMPLES Example 1 siRNA Synthesis

Source of Reagents

Where the source of a reagent is not specifically given herein, suchreagent may be obtained from any supplier of reagents for molecularbiology at a quality/purity standard for application in molecularbiology.

Oligonucleotide Synthesis.

All oligonucleotides are synthesized on an AKTAoligopilot synthesizer.Commercially available controlled pore glass solid support (dT-CPG, 500{acute over (Å)}, Prime Synthesis) and RNA phosphoramidites withstandard protecting groups, 5′-O-dimethoxytritylN6-benzoyl-2′-t-butyldimethylsilyl-adenosine-3′-O—N,N′-diisopropyl-2-cyanoethylphosphoramidite,5′-O-dimethoxytrityl-N4-acetyl-2′-t-butyldimethylsilyl-cytidine-3′-O—N,N′-diisopropyl-2-cyanoethylphosphoramidite,5′-O-dimethoxytrityl-N2-isobutryl-2′-t-butyldimethylsilyl-guanosine-3′-O—N,N′-diisopropyl-2-cyanoethylphosphoramidite,and5′-O-dimethoxytrityl-2′-t-butyldimethylsilyl-uridine-3′-O—N,N′-diisopropyl-2-cyanoethylphosphoramidite(Pierce Nucleic Acids Technologies) were used for the oligonucleotidesynthesis. The 2′-F phosphoramidites,5′-O-dimethoxytrityl-N4-acetyl-2′-fluro-cytidine-3′-O—N,N′-diisopropyl-2-cyanoethyl-phosphoramiditeand5′-O-dimethoxytrityl-2′-fluro-uridine-3′-O—N,N′-diisopropyl-2-cyanoethyl-phosphoramiditeare purchased from (Promega). All phosphoramidites are used at aconcentration of 0.2M in acetonitrile (CH₃CN) except for guanosine whichis used at 0.2M concentration in 10% THF/ANC (v/v). Coupling/recyclingtime of 16 minutes is used. The activator is 5-ethyl thiotetrazole(0.75M, American International Chemicals); for the PO-oxidationiodine/water/pyridine is used and for the PS-oxidation PADS (2%) in2,6-lutidine/ACN (1:1 v/v) is used.

3′-ligand conjugated strands are synthesized using solid supportcontaining the corresponding ligand. For example, the introduction ofcholesterol unit in the sequence is performed from ahydroxyprolinol-cholesterol phosphoramidite. Cholesterol is tethered totrans-4-hydroxyprolinol via a 6-aminohexanoate linkage to obtain ahydroxyprolinol-cholesterol moiety. 5′-end Cy-3 and Cy-5.5 (fluorophore)labeled iRNAs are synthesized from the corresponding Quasar-570 (Cy-3)phosphoramidite are purchased from Biosearch Technologies. Conjugationof ligands to 5′-end and or internal position is achieved by usingappropriately protected ligand-phosphoramidite building block. Anextended 15 min coupling of 0.1 M solution of phosphoramidite inanhydrous CH₃CN in the presence of 5-(ethylthio)-1H-tetrazole activatorto a solid-support-bound oligonucleotide. Oxidation of theinternucleotide phosphite to the phosphate is carried out using standardiodine-water as reported (1) or by treatment with tert-butylhydroperoxide/acetonitrile/water (10:87:3) with 10 min oxidation waittime conjugated oligonucleotide. Phosphorothioate is introduced by theoxidation of phosphite to phosphorothioate by using a sulfur transferreagent such as DDTT (purchased from AM Chemicals), PADS and or Beaucagereagent. The cholesterol phosphoramidite is synthesized in house andused at a concentration of 0.1 M in dichloromethane. Coupling time forthe cholesterol phosphoramidite is 16 minutes.

Deprotection I (Nucleobase Deprotection)

After completion of synthesis, the support is transferred to a 100 mLglass bottle (VWR). The oligonucleotide is cleaved from the support withsimultaneous deprotection of base and phosphate groups with 80 mL of amixture of ethanolic ammonia [ammonia:ethanol (3:1)] for 6.5 h at 55° C.The bottle is cooled briefly on ice and then the ethanolic ammoniamixture is filtered into a new 250-mL bottle. The CPG is washed with2×40 mL portions of ethanol/water (1:1 v/v). The volume of the mixtureis then reduced to ˜30 mL by roto-vap. The mixture is then frozen on dryice and dried under vacuum on a speed vac.

Deprotection II (Removal of 2′-TBDMS Group)

The dried residue is resuspended in 26 mL of triethylamine,triethylamine trihydrofluoride (TEA.3HF) or pyridine-HF and DMSO (3:4:6)and heated at 60° C. for 90 minutes to remove thetert-butyldimethylsilyl (TBDMS) groups at the 2′ position. The reactionis then quenched with 50 mL of 20 mM sodium acetate and the pH isadjusted to 6.5. Oligonucleotide is stored in a freezer untilpurification.

Analysis

The oligonucleotides are analyzed by high-performance liquidchromatography (HPLC) prior to purification and selection of buffer andcolumn depends on nature of the sequence and or conjugated ligand.

HPLC Purification

The ligand-conjugated oligonucleotides are purified by reverse-phasepreparative HPLC. The unconjugated oligonucleotides are purified byanion-exchange HPLC on a TSK gel column packed in house. The buffers are20 mM sodium phosphate (pH 8.5) in 10% CH₃CN (buffer A) and 20 mM sodiumphosphate (pH 8.5) in 10% CH₃CN, 1M NaBr (buffer B). Fractionscontaining full-length oligonucleotides are pooled, desalted, andlyophilized. Approximately 0.15 OD of desalted oligonucleotidess arediluted in water to 150 μL and then pipetted into special vials for CGEand LC/MS analysis. Compounds are then analyzed by LC-ESMS and CGE.

siRNA Preparation

For the general preparation of siRNA, equimolar amounts of sense andantisense strand are heated in 1×PBS at 95° C. for 5 min and slowlycooled to room temperature. Integrity of the duplex is confirmed by HPLCanalysis.

Nucleic acid sequences are represented below using standardnomenclature, and specifically the abbreviations of Table 1.

TABLE 1 Abbreviations of nucleotide monomers used in nucleic acidsequence representation. It will be understood that these monomers, whenpresent in an oligonucleotide, are mutually linked by5′-3′-phosphodiester bonds. Abbreviation Nucleotide(s) AAdenosine-3′-phosphate Ab beta-L-adenosine-3′-phosphate Absbeta-L-adenosine-3′-phosphorothioate Af 2′-fluoroadenosine-3′-phosphateAfs 2′-fluoroadenosine-3′-phosphorothioate Asadenosine-3′-phosphorothioate C cytidine-3′-phosphate Cbbeta-L-cytidine-3′-phosphate Cbs beta-L-cytidine-3′-phosphorothioate Cf2′-fluorocytidine-3′-phosphate Cfs 2′-fluorocytidine-3′-phosphorothioate(Chd) 2′-O-hexadecyl-cytidine-3′-phosphate (Chds)2′-O-hexadecyl-cytidine-3′-phosphorothioate Cscytidine-3′-phosphorothioate G guanosine-3′-phosphate Gbbeta-L-guanosine-3′-phosphate Gbs beta-L-guanosine-3′-phosphorothioateGf 2′-fluoroguanosine-3′-phosphate Gfs2′-fluoroguanosine-3′-phosphorothioate Gs guanosine-3′-phosphorothioateT 5′-methyluridine-3′-phosphate Tb beta-L-thymidine-3′-phosphate Tbsbeta-L-thymidine-3′-phosphorothioate Tf2′-fluoro-5-methyluridine-3′-phosphate Tfs2′-fluoro-5-methyluridine-3′-phosphorothioate Ts5-methyluridine-3′-phosphorothioate U Uridine-3′-phosphate Ubbeta-L-uridine-3′-phosphate Ubs beta-L-uridine-3′-phosphorothioate Uf2′-fluorouridine-3′-phosphate Ufs 2′-fluorouridine-3′-phosphorothioate(Uhd) 2′-O-hexadecyl-uridine-3′-phosphate (Uhds)2′-O-hexadecyl-uridine-3′-phosphorothioate Usuridine-3′-phosphorothioate N any nucleotide (G, A, C, T or U) a2′-O-methyladenosine-3′-phosphate as2′-O-methyladenosine-3′-phosphorothioate c2′-O-methylcytidine-3′-phosphate cs2′-O-methylcytidine-3′-phosphorothioate g2′-O-methylguanosine-3′-phosphate gs2′-O-methylguanosine-3′-phosphorothioate t2′-O-methyl-5-methyluridine-3′-phosphate ts2′-O-methyl-5-methyluridine-3′-phosphorothioate u2′-O-methyluridine-3′-phosphate us2′-O-methyluridine-3′-phosphorothioate dA 2′-deoxyadenosine-3′-phosphatedAs 2′-deoxyadenosine-3′-phosphorothioate dC2′-deoxycytidine-3′-phosphate dCs 2′-deoxycytidine-3′-phosphorothioatedG 2′-deoxyguanosine-3′-phosphate dGs2′-deoxyguanosine-3′-phosphorothioate dT 2′-deoxythymidine dTs2′-deoxythymidine-3′-phosphorothioate dU 2′-deoxyuridine sphosphorothioate linkage L96¹N-[tris(GalNAc-alkyl)-amidodecanoyl)]-4-hydroxyprolinolHyp-(GalNAc-alkyl)3 (Aeo) 2′-O-methoxyethyladenosine-3′-phosphate (Aeos)2′-O-methoxyethyladenosine-3′-phosphorothioate (Geo)2′-O-methoxyethylguanosine-3′-phosphate (Geos)2′-O-methoxyethylguanosine-3′-phosphorothioate (Teo)2′-O-methoxyethyl-5-methyluridine-3′-phosphate (Teos)2′-O-methoxyethyl-5-methyluridine-3′-phosphorothioate (m5Ceo)2′-O-methoxyethyl-5-methylcytidine-3′-phosphate (m5Ceos)2′-O-methoxyethyl-5-methylcytidine-3′-phosphorothioate ¹The chemicalstructure of L96 is as follows:

Example 2 ALAS1 siRNA Design and Synthesis Experimental MethodsBioinformatics Transcripts

siRNA design was carried out to identify siRNAs targeting human, rhesus(Macaca mulatta), mouse, and rat ALAS1 transcripts annotated in the NCBIGene database (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/gene/). Design used thefollowing transcripts from the NCBI RefSeq collection: Human—NM_000688.4(see FIG. 3), NM_199166.1; Rhesus—XM_001090440.2, XM_001090675.2;Mouse—NM_020559.2; Rat—NM_024484.2. Due to high primate/rodent sequencedivergence, siRNA duplexes were designed in several separate batches,including but not limited to batches containing duplexes matching humanand rhesus transcripts only; human, rhesus, mouse, and rat transcriptsonly; and mouse and rat transcripts only. Most siRNA duplexes weredesigned that shared 100% identity the listed human transcript and otherspecies transcripts considered in each design batch (above). In someinstances, (see Table 8) mismatches between duplex and mRNA target wereallowed at the first antisense (last sense) position when the antisensestrand:target mRNA complementary basepair was a GC or CG pair. In thesecases, duplexes were designed with UA or AU pairs at the firstantisense:last sense pair. Thus the duplexes maintained complementaritybut were mismatched with respect to target (U:C, U:G, A:C, or A:G).Eighteen of these “UA-swap” duplexes were designed as part of thehuman/rhesus/mouse/rat set (see duplexes in Table 8 with “C19U”, “G19U”,“C19A”, or “G19A” labels in the Position column).

siRNA Design, Specificity, and Efficacy Prediction

The predicted specificity of all possible 19 mers was predicted fromeach sequence. Candidate 19 mers were then selected that lacked repeatslonger than 7 nucleotides. These 1510 candidate human/rhesus, 114human/rhesus/mouse/rat, and 717 mouse/rat siRNAs were used incomprehensive searches against the appropriate transcriptomes (definedas the set of NM_ and XM_ records within the human, rhesus, dog, mouse,or rat NCBI Refseq sets) using an exhaustive “brute-force” algorithmimplemented in the python script ‘BruteForce.py’. The script next parsedthe transcript-oligo alignments to generate a score based on theposition and number of mismatches between the siRNA and any potential‘off-target’ transcript. The off-target score is weighted to emphasizedifferences in the ‘seed’ region of siRNAs, in positions 2-9 from the 5′end of the molecule. Each oligo-transcript pair from the brute-forcesearch was given a mismatch score by summing the individual mismatchscores; mismatches in the position 2-9 were counted as 2.8, mismatchesin the cleavage site positions 10-11 were counted as 1.2, and mismatchesin region 12-19 counted as 1.0. An additional off-target prediction wascarried out by comparing the frequency of heptamers and octomers derivedfrom 3 distinct, seed-derived hexamers of each oligo. The hexamers frompositions 2-7 relative to the 5′ start is used to create 2 heptamers andone octomer. We create ‘heptamer1’ by adding a 3′ A to the hexamer; wecreate heptamer2 by adding a 5′ A to the hexamer; we create the octomerby adding an A to both 5′ and 3′ ends of the hexamer. The frequency ofoctomers and heptamers in the human, rhesus, mouse, or rat 3′UTRome(defined as the subsequence of the transcriptome from NCBI's Refseqdatabase where the end of the coding region, the ‘CDS’, is clearlydefined) was pre-calculated. The octomer frequency was normalized to theheptamer frequency using the median value from the range of octomerfrequencies. A ‘mirSeedScore’ was then calculated by calculating the sumof ((3× normalized octomer count)+(2× heptamer2 count)+(1× heptamer1count)).

Both siRNAs strands were assigned to a category of specificity accordingto the calculated scores: a score above 3 qualifies as highly specific,equal to 3 as specific and between 2.2 and 2.8 as moderately specific.We sorted by the specificity of the antisense strand. We then selectedduplexes whose antisense oligos lacked GC at the first position, lackedG at both positions 13 and 14, and had 3 or more Us or As in the seedregion (characteristics of duplexes with high predicted efficacy)

Candidate GalNac-conjugated duplexes, 21 and 23 nucleotides long on thesense and antisense strands respectively, were designed by extendingantisense 19 mers 4 additional nucleotides in the 3′ direction(preserving perfect complementarity with the target transcript). Thesense strand was specified as the reverse complement of the first 21nucleotides of the antisense 23 mer. Duplexes were selected thatmaintained perfect matches to all selected species transcripts acrossall 23 nucleotides.

siRNA Sequence Selection

A total of 90 sense and 90 antisense derived human/rhesus, 40 sense and40 antisense derived human/rhesus/mouse/mouse/rat, and 40 sense and 40antisense derived mouse/rat siRNA 19 mer oligos were synthesized andformed into duplexes. A total of 45 sense and 45 antisense derivedhuman/rhesus 21/23 mer oligos were synthesized to yield 45GalNac-conjugated duplexes.

The sequences of the sense and antisense strands of the modifiedduplexes are shown in Table 2, and the sequences of the sense andantisense strands of the unmodified duplexes are shown in Table 3.

Synthesis of ALAS1 Sequences

ALAS1 sequences were synthesized on MerMade 192 synthesizer at either 1or 0.2 umol scale. Single strands were made with 2′O-methylmodifications for in vitro screening using transfection reagents. 3′GalNAc conjugates were made with sequences containing 2′F and2′-O-methyl modifications on the sense strand in the 21-23 mer designsfor free uptake in cells. For all the 21 mer sequences in the list,‘endolight’ chemistry was applied as detailed below.

-   -   All pyrimidines (cytosine and uridine) in the sense strand        contained 2′-O-Methyl bases (2′ O-Methyl C and 2′-O-Methyl U)    -   In the antisense strand, pyrimidines adjacent to (towards 5′        position) ribo A nucleoside were replaced with their        corresponding 2-O-Methyl nucleosides    -   A two base dTsdT extension at 3′ end of both sense and anti        sense sequences was introduced    -   The sequence file was converted to a text file to make it        compatible for loading in the MerMade 192 synthesis software

For GalNAc conjugated sense strands and complementary antisensesequences, 2′F and other modified nucleosides were introduced incombination with ribo with 2′O-Methyl nucleosides. The synthesis wasperformed on a GalNAc modified CPG support for the sense strand and CPGmodified with universal support on the antisense sequence.

Synthesis, Cleavage and Deprotection:

The synthesis of ALAS1 sequences used solid supported oligonucleotidesynthesis using phosphoramidite chemistry. For 21 mer endolightsequences, a deoxy thymidine CPG was used as the solid support while forthe GalNAc conjugates, GalNAc solid support for sense strand and anuniversal CPG for the antisesense strand were used.

The synthesis of the above sequences was performed at either 1 or 0.2 umscale in 96 well plates. The amidite solutions were prepared at 0.1Mconcentration and ethyl thio tetrazole (0.6M in Acetonitrile) was usedas activator.

The synthesized sequences were cleaved and deprotected in 96 wellplates, using methylamine in the first step and fluoride reagent in thesecond step. For GalNAc and 2′F nucleoside containing sequences,deprotection conditions were modified. Sequences after cleavage anddeprotection were precipitated using acetone:ethanol (80:20) mix and thepellet were re-suspended in 0.2M sodium acetate buffer. Samples fromeach sequence were analyzed by LC-MS to confirm the identity, UV forquantification and a selected set of samples by IEX chromatography todetermine purity.

Purification and Desalting:

ALAS1 sequences were precipitated and purified on AKTA Purifier systemusing Sephadex column. The ALAS less was run at ambient temperature.Sample injection and collection was performed in 96 well (1.8 mL-deepwell) plates. A single peak corresponding to the full length sequencewas collected in the eluent. The desalted ALAS1 sequences were analyzedfor concentration (by UV measurement at A260) and purity (by ionexchange HPLC). The complementary single strands were then combined in a1:1 stoichiometric ratio to form siRNA duplexes.

TABLE 2 Human ALAS1 Modified Single Strands and Duplex Sequences SEQ IDSEQ ID NO: Position on NO: (anti- transcript Duplex Sense SequenceAntisense Sequence (sense) sense) NM_000688.4 Name (5′-3′) (5′-3′)   2  3 522-540 AD-55078.2 cuccGGccAGuGAGAAAGAdTsdT UCUUUCUcACUGGCCGGAGdTsdT  4   5 669-687 AD-55084.2 uGGcAGcAcAGAuGAAucAdTsdTUGAUUcAUCUGUGCUGCcAdTsdT   6   7 790-808 AD-55090.2cAGuGuGGuuAGuGuGAAAdTsdT UUUcAcACuAACcAcACUGdTsdT   8   9 853-871AD-55096.2 cAucAuGcAAAAGcAAAGAdTsdT UCUUUGCUUUUGcAUGAUGdTsdT  10  11876-894 AD-55102.2 AAAGAGuGucucAucuucudTsdT AGAAGAUGAGAcACUCUUUdTsdT  12 13 877-895 AD-55106.2 AAGAGuGucucAucuucuudTsdT AAGAAGAUGAGAcACUCUUdTsdT 14  15 914-932 AD-55111.2 ucuGuuuccAcuuuucAGudTsdTACUGAAAAGUGGAAAcAGAdTsdT  16  17 923-941 AD-55073.2AcuuuucAGuAuGAucGuudTsdT AACGAUcAuACUGAAAAGUdTsdT  18  19 926-944AD-55079.2 uuucAGuAuGAucGuuucudTsdT AGAAACGAUcAuACUGAAAdTsdT  20  21927-945 AD-55085.2 uucAGuAuGAucGuuucuudTsdT AAGAAACGAUcAuACUGAAdTsdT  22 23 928-946 AD-55091.2 ucAGuAuGAucGuuucuuudTsdT AAAGAAACGAUcAuACUGAdTsdT 24  25 932-950 AD-55097.2 uAuGAucGuuucuuuGAGAdTsdTUCUcAAAGAAACGAUcAuAdTsdT  26  27 973-991 AD-55103.2uGAccAcAccuAucGAGuudTsdT AACUCGAuAGGUGUGGUcAdTsdT  28  29 975-993AD-55107.2 AccAcAccuAucGAGuuuudTsdT AAAACUCGAuAGGUGUGGUdTsdT  30  311029-1047 AD-55112.2 uGGcAGAuGAcuAuucAGAdTsdT UCUGAAuAGUcAUCUGCcAdTsdT 32  33 1077-1095 AD-55074.2 ucuGGuGcAGuAAuGAcuAdTsdTuAGUcAUuACUGcACcAGAdTsdT  34  35 1124-1142 AD-55080.2uGuGGGGcAGuuAuGGAcAdTsdT UGUCcAuAACUGCCCcAcAdTsdT  36  37 1137-1155AD-55086.2 uGGAcAcuuuGAAAcAAcAdTsdT UGUUGUUUcAAAGUGUCcAdTsdT  38  391182-1200 AD-55098.2 AuAuuucuGGAAcuAGuAAdTsdT UuACuAGUUCcAGAAAuAUdTsdT 40  41 1184-1202 AD-55104.2 AuuucuGGAAcuAGuAAAudTsdTAUUuACuAGUUCcAGAAAUdTsdT  42  43 1185-1203 AD-55108.2uuucuGGAAcuAGuAAAuudTsdT AAUUuACuAGUUCcAGAAAdTsdT  44  45 1188-1206AD-55113.2 cuGGAAcuAGuAAAuuccAdTsdT UGGAAUUuACuAGUUCcAGdTsdT  46  471325-1343 AD-55075.2 uGuGAGAuuuAcucuGAuudTsdT AAUcAGAGuAAAUCUcAcAdTsdT 48  49 1364-1382 AD-55081.2 AuccAAGGGAuucGAAAcAdTsdTUGUUUCGAAUCCCUUGGAUdTsdT  50  51 1382-1400 AD-55087.2AGccGAGuGccAAAGuAcAdTsdT UGuACUUUGGcACUCGGCUdTsdT  52  53 1478-1496AD-55093.2 uuuGAAAcuGuccAuucAAdTsdT UUGAAUGGAcAGUUUcAAAdTsdT  54  551531-1549 AD-55099.2 uGAuGuGGcccAuGAGuuudTsdT AAACUcAUGGGCcAcAUcAdTsdT 56  57 1631-1649 AD-53573.3 GucAuGccAAAAAuGGAcAdTsdTUGUCcAUUUUUGGcAUGACdTsdT  58  59 1637-1655 AD-55109.2ccAAAAAuGGAcAucAuuudTsdT AAAUGAUGUCcAUUUUUGGdTsdT  60  61 1706-1724AD-55114.2 AcGAGuucucuGAuuGAcAdTsdT UGUcAAUcAGAGAACUCGUdTsdT  62  631962-1980 AD-55076.2 AAGucuGuGAuGAAcuAAudTsdT AUuAGUUcAUcAcAGACUUdTsdT 64  65 1967-1985 AD-55082.2 uGuGAuGAAcuAAuGAGcAdTsdTUGCUcAUuAGUUcAUcAcAdTsdT  66  67 1977-1995 AD-55088.2uAAuGAGcAGAcAuAAcAudTsdT AUGUuAUGUCUGCUcAUuAdTsdT  68  69 2189-2207AD-55094.2 uuuGAAGuGAuGAGuGAAAdTsdT UUUcACUcAUcACUUcAAAdTsdT  70  712227-2245 AD-55100.2 AGGcuuGAGcAAGuuGGuAdTsdT uACcAACUUGCUcAAGCCUdTsdT 72  73 2313-2331 AD-55105.2 ucuucAGAGuuGucuuuAudTsdTAuAAAGAcAACUCUGAAGAdTsdT  74  75 2317-2335 AD-55110.2cAGAGuuGucuuuAuAuGudTsdT AcAuAuAAAGAcAACUCUGdTsdT  76  77 2319-2337AD-55115.2 GAGuuGucuuuAuAuGuGAdTsdT UcAcAuAuAAAGAcAACUCdTsdT  78  792320-2338 AD-55077.2 AGuuGucuuuAuAuGuGAAdTsdT UUcAcAuAuAAAGAcAACUdTsdT 80  81 2344-2362 AD-55083.2 uuAuAuuAAAuuuuAAucudTsdTAGAUuAAAAUUuAAuAuAAdTsdT  82  83 2352-2370 AD-55089.2AAuuuuAAucuAuAGuAAAdTsdT UUuACuAuAGAUuAAAAUUdTsdT  84  85 2353-2371AD-55095.2 AuuuuAAucuAuAGuAAAAdTsdT UUUuACuAuAGAUuAAAAUdTsdT  86  872376-2394 AD-55101.2 AGuccuGGAAAuAAAuucudTsdT AGAAUUuAUUUCcAGGACUdTsdT 88  89 358-376 AD-53511.1 cuGcccAuucuuAucccGAdTsdTUCGGGAuAAGAAUGGGcAGdTsdT  90  91 789-807 AD-53512.1ccAGuGuGGuuAGuGuGAAdTsdT UUcAcACuAACcAcACUGGdTsdT  92  93 1076-1094AD-53513.1 GucuGGuGcAGuAAuGAcudTsdT AGUcAUuACUGcACcAGACdTsdT  94  951253-1271 AD-53514.1 GcAcucuuGuuuuccucGudTsdT ACGAGGAAAAcAAGAGUGCdTsdT 96  97 1544-1562 AD-53515.1 GAGuuuGGAGcAAucAccudTsdTAGGUGAUUGCUCcAAACUCdTsdT  98  99 2228-2246 AD-53516.1GGcuuGAGcAAGuuGGuAudTsdT AuACcAACUUGCUcAAGCCdTsdT 100 101 404-422AD-53517.1 GGcAAAucucuGuuGuucudTsdT AGAAcAAcAGAGAUUUGCCdTsdT 102 103404-422 AD-53517.1 GGcAAAucucuGuuGuucudTsdT AGAAcAAcAGAGAUUUGCCdTsdT 104105 866-884 AD-53518.1 cAAAGAccAGAAAGAGuGudTsdT AcACUCUUUCUGGUCUUUGdTsdT106 107 1080-1098 AD-53519.1 GGuGcAGuAAuGAcuAccudTsdTAGGuAGUcAUuACUGcACCdTsdT 108 109 1258-1276 AD-53520.1cuuGuuuuccucGuGcuuudTsdT AAAGcACGAGGAAAAcAAGdTsdT 110 111 1616-1634AD-53521.1 GGGGAucGGGAuGGAGucAdTsdT UGACUCcAUCCCGAUCCCCdTsdT 112 1132230-2248 AD-53522.1 cuuGAGcAAGuuGGuAucudTsdT AGAuACcAACUUGCUcAAGdTsdT114 115 436-454 AD-53523.1 ccccAAGAuGAuGGAAGuudTsdTAACUUCcAUcAUCUUGGGGdTsdT 116 117 436-454 AD-53523.1ccccAAGAuGAuGGAAGuudTsdT AACUUCcAUcAUCUUGGGGdTsdT 118 119 885-903AD-53524.1 cucAucuucuucAAGAuAAdTsdT UuAUCUUGAAGAAGAUGAGdTsdT 120 1211127-1145 AD-53525.1 GGGGcAGuuAuGGAcAcuudTsdT AAGUGUCcAuAACUGCCCCdTsdT122 123 1315-1333 AD-53526.1 GAuGccAGGcuGuGAGAuudTsdTAAUCUcAcAGCCUGGcAUCdTsdT 124 125 1870-1888 AD-53527.1GAGAcAGAuGcuAAuGGAudTsdT AUCcAUuAGcAUCUGUCUCdTsdT 126 127 2286-2304AD-53528.1 ccccAGGccAuuAucAuAudTsdT AuAUGAuAAUGGCCUGGGGdTsdT 128 129489-507 AD-53529.1 cAGcAGuAcAcuAccAAcAdTsdT UGUUGGuAGUGuACUGCUGdTsdT 130131 489-507 AD-53529.1 cAGcAGuAcAcuAccAAcAdTsdT UGUUGGuAGUGuACUGCUGdTsdT132 133 915-933 AD-53530.1 cuGuuuccAcuuuucAGuAdTsdTuACUGAAAAGUGGAAAcAGdTsdT 134 135 1138-1156 AD-53531.1GGAcAcuuuGAAAcAAcAudTsdT AUGUUGUUUcAAAGUGUCCdTsdT 136 137 1324-1342AD-53532.1 cuGuGAGAuuuAcucuGAudTsdT AUcAGAGuAAAUCUcAcAGdTsdT 138 1391927-1945 AD-53533.1 cccuGuGcGGGuuGcAGAudTsdT AUCUGcAACCCGcAcAGGGdTsdT140 141 2312-2330 AD-53534.1 GucuucAGAGuuGucuuuAdTsdTuAAAGAcAACUCUGAAGACdTsdT 142 143 646-664 AD-53535.1cAcuGcAAGcAAAuGcccudTsdT AGGGcAUUUGCUUGcAGUGdTsdT 144 145 922-940AD-53536.1 cAcuuuucAGuAuGAucGudTsdT ACGAUcAuACUGAAAAGUGdTsdT 146 1471163-1181 AD-53537.1 GGGGcAGGuGGuAcuAGAAdTsdT UUCuAGuACcACCUGCCCCdTsdT148 149 1347-1365 AD-53538.1 GGAAccAuGccuccAuGAudTsdTAUcAUGGAGGcAUGGUUCCdTsdT 150 151 1964-1982 AD-53539.1GucuGuGAuGAAcuAAuGAdTsdT UcAUuAGUUcAUcAcAGACdTsdT 152 153 2321-2339AD-53540.1 GuuGucuuuAuAuGuGAAudTsdT AUUcAcAuAuAAAGAcAACdTsdT 154 155671-689 AD-53541.1 GcAGcAcAGAuGAAucAGAdTsdT UCUGAUUcAUCUGUGCUGCdTsdT 156157 924-942 AD-53542.1 cuuuucAGuAuGAucGuuudTsdT AAACGAUcAuACUGAAAAGdTsdT158 159 1164-1182 AD-53543.1 GGGcAGGuGGuAcuAGAAAdTsdTUUUCuAGuACcACCUGCCCdTsdT 160 161 1460-1478 AD-53544.1GuccccAAGAuuGuGGcAudTsdT AUGCcAcAAUCUUGGGGACdTsdT 162 163 1976-1994AD-53545.1 cuAAuGAGcAGAcAuAAcAdTsdT UGUuAUGUCUGCUcAUuAGdTsdT 164 165786-804 AD-53546.1 GccccAGuGuGGuuAGuGudTsdT AcACuAACcAcACUGGGGCdTsdT 166167 935-953 AD-53547.1 GAucGuuucuuuGAGAAAAdTsdT UUUUCUcAAAGAAACGAUCdTsdT168 169 1165-1183 AD-53548.1 GGcAGGuGGuAcuAGAAAudTsdTAUUUCuAGuACcACCUGCCdTsdT 170 171 1530-1548 AD-53549.1GuGAuGuGGcccAuGAGuudTsdT AACUcAUGGGCcAcAUcACdTsdT 172 173 2003-2021AD-53550.1 cAAGcAAucAAuuAcccuAdTsdT uAGGGuAAUUGAUUGCUUGdTsdT 174 175788-806 AD-53551.1 cccAGuGuGGuuAGuGuGAdTsdT UcAcACuAACcAcACUGGGdTsdT 176177 974-992 AD-53552.1 GAccAcAccuAucGAGuuudTsdT AAACUCGAuAGGUGUGGUCdTsdT178 179 1191-1209 AD-53553.1 GAAcuAGuAAAuuccAuGudTsdTAcAUGGAAUUuACuAGUUCdTsdT 180 181 1541-1559 AD-53554.1cAuGAGuuuGGAGcAAucAdTsdT UGAUUGCUCcAAACUcAUGdTsdT 182 183 2075-2093AD-53555.1 ccccAGAuGAuGAAcuAcudTsdT AGuAGUUcAUcAUCUGGGGdTsdT 184 185360-378 AD-53561.1 GcccAuucuuAucccGAGudTsdT ACUCGGGAuAAGAAUGGGCdTsdT 186187 1356-1374 AD-53567.1 ccuccAuGAuccAAGGGAudTsdTAUCCCUUGGAUcAUGGAGGdTsdT 188 189 1631-1649 AD-53573.1GucAuGccAAAAAuGGAcAdTsdT UGUCcAUUUUUGGcAUGACdTsdT 190 191 1634-1652AD-53579.1 AuGccAAAAAuGGAcAucAdTsdT UGAUGUCcAUUUUUGGcAUdTsdT

TABLE 3 Human ALAS1 Unmodified Single Strands and Duplex SequencesSEQ ID SEQ ID NO: Position on NO: (anti- transcript DuplexSense Sequence Antisense Sequence (sense) sense) NM_000688.4 Name(5′-3′) (5′-3′) 192 193 522-540 AD-55078.2 CUCCGGCCAGUGAGAAAGAUCUUUCUCACUGGCCGGAG 194 195 669-687 AD-55084.2 UGGCAGCACAGAUGAAUCAUGAUUCAUCUGUGCUGCCA 196 197 790-808 AD-55090.2 CAGUGUGGUUAGUGUGAAAUUUCACACUAACCACACUG 198 199 853-871 AD-55096.2 CAUCAUGCAAAAGCAAAGAUCUUUGCUUUUGCAUGAUG 200 201 876-894 AD-55102.2 AAAGAGUGUCUCAUCUUCUAGAAGAUGAGACACUCUUU 202 203 877-895 AD-55106.2 AAGAGUGUCUCAUCUUCUUAAGAAGAUGAGACACUCUU 204 205 914-932 AD-55111.2 UCUGUUUCCACUUUUCAGUACUGAAAAGUGGAAACAGA 206 207 923-941 AD-55073.2 ACUUUUCAGUAUGAUCGUUAACGAUCAUACUGAAAAGU 208 209 926-944 AD-55079.2 UUUCAGUAUGAUCGUUUCUAGAAACGAUCAUACUGAAA 210 211 927-945 AD-55085.2 UUCAGUAUGAUCGUUUCUUAAGAAACGAUCAUACUGAA 212 213 928-946 AD-55091.2 UCAGUAUGAUCGUUUCUUUAAAGAAACGAUCAUACUGA 214 215 932-950 AD-55097.2 UAUGAUCGUUUCUUUGAGAUCUCAAAGAAACGAUCAUA 216 217 973-991 AD-55103.2 UGACCACACCUAUCGAGUUAACUCGAUAGGUGUGGUCA 218 219 975-993 AD-55107.2 ACCACACCUAUCGAGUUUUAAAACUCGAUAGGUGUGGU 220 221 1029-1047 AD-55112.2 UGGCAGAUGACUAUUCAGAUCUGAAUAGUCAUCUGCCA 222 223 1077-1095 AD-55074.2 UCUGGUGCAGUAAUGACUAUAGUCAUUACUGCACCAGA 224 225 1124-1142 AD-55080.2 UGUGGGGCAGUUAUGGACAUGUCCAUAACUGCCCCACA 226 227 1137-1155 AD-55086.2 UGGACACUUUGAAACAACAUGUUGUUUCAAAGUGUCCA 228 229 1182-1200 AD-55098.2 AUAUUUCUGGAACUAGUAAUUACUAGUUCCAGAAAUAU 230 231 1184-1202 AD-55104.2 AUUUCUGGAACUAGUAAAUAUUUACUAGUUCCAGAAAU 232 233 1185-1203 AD-55108.2 UUUCUGGAACUAGUAAAUUAAUUUACUAGUUCCAGAAA 234 235 1188-1206 AD-55113.2 CUGGAACUAGUAAAUUCCAUGGAAUUUACUAGUUCCAG 236 237 1325-1343 AD-55075.2 UGUGAGAUUUACUCUGAUUAAUCAGAGUAAAUCUCACA 238 239 1364-1382 AD-55081.2 AUCCAAGGGAUUCGAAACAUGUUUCGAAUCCCUUGGAU 240 241 1382-1400 AD-55087.2 AGCCGAGUGCCAAAGUACAUGUACUUUGGCACUCGGCU 242 243 1478-1496 AD-55093.2 UUUGAAACUGUCCAUUCAAUUGAAUGGACAGUUUCAAA 244 245 1531-1549 AD-55099.2 UGAUGUGGCCCAUGAGUUUAAACUCAUGGGCCACAUCA 246 247 1631-1649 AD-53573.3 GUCAUGCCAAAAAUGGACAUGUCCAUUUUUGGCAUGAC 248 249 1637-1655 AD-55109.2 CCAAAAAUGGACAUCAUUUAAAUGAUGUCCAUUUUUGG 250 251 1706-1724 AD-55114.2 ACGAGUUCUCUGAUUGACAUGUCAAUCAGAGAACUCGU 252 253 1962-1980 AD-55076.2 AAGUCUGUGAUGAACUAAUAUUAGUUCAUCACAGACUU 254 255 1967-1985 AD-55082.2 UGUGAUGAACUAAUGAGCAUGCUCAUUAGUUCAUCACA 256 257 1977-1995 AD-55088.2 UAAUGAGCAGACAUAACAUAUGUUAUGUCUGCUCAUUA 258 259 2189-2207 AD-55094.2 UUUGAAGUGAUGAGUGAAAUUUCACUCAUCACUUCAAA 260 261 2227-2245 AD-55100.2 AGGCUUGAGCAAGUUGGUAUACCAACUUGCUCAAGCCU 262 263 2313-2331 AD-55105.2 UCUUCAGAGUUGUCUUUAUAUAAAGACAACUCUGAAGA 264 265 2317-2335 AD-55110.2 CAGAGUUGUCUUUAUAUGUACAUAUAAAGACAACUCUG 266 267 2319-2337 AD-55115.2 GAGUUGUCUUUAUAUGUGAUCACAUAUAAAGACAACUC 268 269 2320-2338 AD-55077.2 AGUUGUCUUUAUAUGUGAAUUCACAUAUAAAGACAACU 270 271 2344-2362 AD-55083.2 UUAUAUUAAAUUUUAAUCUAGAUUAAAAUUUAAUAUAA 272 273 2352-2370 AD-55089.2 AAUUUUAAUCUAUAGUAAAUUUACUAUAGAUUAAAAUU 274 275 2353-2371 AD-55095.2 AUUUUAAUCUAUAGUAAAAUUUUACUAUAGAUUAAAAU 276 277 2376-2394 AD-55101.2 AGUCCUGGAAAUAAAUUCUAGAAUUUAUUUCCAGGACU 278 279 358-376 AD-53511.1 CUGCCCAUUCUUAUCCCGAUCGGGAUAAGAAUGGGCAG 280 281 789-807 AD-53512.1 CCAGUGUGGUUAGUGUGAAUUCACACUAACCACACUGG 282 283 1076-1094 AD-53513.1 GUCUGGUGCAGUAAUGACUAGUCAUUACUGCACCAGAC 284 285 1253-1271 AD-53514.1 GCACUCUUGUUUUCCUCGUACGAGGAAAACAAGAGUGC 286 287 1544-1562 AD-53515.1 GAGUUUGGAGCAAUCACCUAGGUGAUUGCUCCAAACUC 288 289 2228-2246 AD-53516.1 GGCUUGAGCAAGUUGGUAUAUACCAACUUGCUCAAGCC 290 291 404-422 AD-53517.1 GGCAAAUCUCUGUUGUUCUAGAACAACAGAGAUUUGCC 292 293 404-422 AD-53517.1 GGCAAAUCUCUGUUGUUCUAGAACAACAGAGAUUUGCC 294 295 866-884 AD-53518.1 CAAAGACCAGAAAGAGUGUACACUCUUUCUGGUCUUUG 296 297 1080-1098 AD-53519.1 GGUGCAGUAAUGACUACCUAGGUAGUCAUUACUGCACC 298 299 1258-1276 AD-53520.1 CUUGUUUUCCUCGUGCUUUAAAGCACGAGGAAAACAAG 300 301 1616-1634 AD-53521.1 GGGGAUCGGGAUGGAGUCAUGACUCCAUCCCGAUCCCC 302 303 2230-2248 AD-53522.1 CUUGAGCAAGUUGGUAUCUAGAUACCAACUUGCUCAAG 304 305 436-454 AD-53523.1 CCCCAAGAUGAUGGAAGUUAACUUCCAUCAUCUUGGGG 306 307 436-454 AD-53523.1 CCCCAAGAUGAUGGAAGUUAACUUCCAUCAUCUUGGGG 308 309 885-903 AD-53524.1 CUCAUCUUCUUCAAGAUAAUUAUCUUGAAGAAGAUGAG 310 311 1127-1145 AD-53525.1 GGGGCAGUUAUGGACACUUAAGUGUCCAUAACUGCCCC 312 313 1315-1333 AD-53526.1 GAUGCCAGGCUGUGAGAUUAAUCUCACAGCCUGGCAUC 314 315 1870-1888 AD-53527.1 GAGACAGAUGCUAAUGGAUAUCCAUUAGCAUCUGUCUC 316 317 2286-2304 AD-53528.1 CCCCAGGCCAUUAUCAUAUAUAUGAUAAUGGCCUGGGG 318 319 489-507 AD-53529.1 CAGCAGUACACUACCAACAUGUUGGUAGUGUACUGCUG 320 321 489-507 AD-53529.1 CAGCAGUACACUACCAACAUGUUGGUAGUGUACUGCUG 322 323 915-933 AD-53530.1 CUGUUUCCACUUUUCAGUAUACUGAAAAGUGGAAACAG 324 325 1138-1156 AD-53531.1 GGACACUUUGAAACAACAUAUGUUGUUUCAAAGUGUCC 326 327 1324-1342 AD-53532.1 CUGUGAGAUUUACUCUGAUAUCAGAGUAAAUCUCACAG 328 329 1927-1945 AD-53533.1 CCCUGUGCGGGUUGCAGAUAUCUGCAACCCGCACAGGG 330 331 2312-2330 AD-53534.1 GUCUUCAGAGUUGUCUUUAUAAAGACAACUCUGAAGAC 332 333 646-664 AD-53535.1 CACUGCAAGCAAAUGCCCUAGGGCAUUUGCUUGCAGUG 334 335 922-940 AD-53536.1 CACUUUUCAGUAUGAUCGUACGAUCAUACUGAAAAGUG 336 337 1163-1181 AD-53537.1 GGGGCAGGUGGUACUAGAAUUCUAGUACCACCUGCCCC 338 339 1347-1365 AD-53538.1 GGAACCAUGCCUCCAUGAUAUCAUGGAGGCAUGGUUCC 340 341 1964-1982 AD-53539.1 GUCUGUGAUGAACUAAUGAUCAUUAGUUCAUCACAGAC 342 343 2321-2339 AD-53540.1 GUUGUCUUUAUAUGUGAAUAUUCACAUAUAAAGACAAC 344 345 671-689 AD-53541.1 GCAGCACAGAUGAAUCAGAUCUGAUUCAUCUGUGCUGC 346 347 924-942 AD-53542.1 CUUUUCAGUAUGAUCGUUUAAACGAUCAUACUGAAAAG 348 349 1164-1182 AD-53543.1 GGGCAGGUGGUACUAGAAAUUUCUAGUACCACCUGCCC 350 351 1460-1478 AD-53544.1 GUCCCCAAGAUUGUGGCAUAUGCCACAAUCUUGGGGAC 352 353 1976-1994 AD-53545.1 CUAAUGAGCAGACAUAACAUGUUAUGUCUGCUCAUUAG 354 355 786-804 AD-53546.1 GCCCCAGUGUGGUUAGUGUACACUAACCACACUGGGGC 356 357 935-953 AD-53547.1 GAUCGUUUCUUUGAGAAAAUUUUCUCAAAGAAACGAUC 358 359 1165-1183 AD-53548.1 GGCAGGUGGUACUAGAAAUAUUUCUAGUACCACCUGCC 360 361 1530-1548 AD-53549.1 GUGAUGUGGCCCAUGAGUUAACUCAUGGGCCACAUCAC 362 363 2003-2021 AD-53550.1 CAAGCAAUCAAUUACCCUAUAGGGUAAUUGAUUGCUUG 364 365 788-806 AD-53551.1 CCCAGUGUGGUUAGUGUGAUCACACUAACCACACUGGG 366 367 974-992 AD-53552.1 GACCACACCUAUCGAGUUUAAACUCGAUAGGUGUGGUC 368 369 1191-1209 AD-53553.1 GAACUAGUAAAUUCCAUGUACAUGGAAUUUACUAGUUC 370 371 1541-1559 AD-53554.1 CAUGAGUUUGGAGCAAUCAUGAUUGCUCCAAACUCAUG 372 373 2075-2093 AD-53555.1 CCCCAGAUGAUGAACUACUAGUAGUUCAUCAUCUGGGG 374 375 360-378 AD-53561.1 GCCCAUUCUUAUCCCGAGUACUCGGGAUAAGAAUGGGC 376 377 1356-1374 AD-53567.1 CCUCCAUGAUCCAAGGGAUAUCCCUUGGAUCAUGGAGG 378 379 1631-1649 AD-53573.1 GUCAUGCCAAAAAUGGACAUGUCCAUUUUUGGCAUGAC 380 381 1634-1652 AD-53579.1 AUGCCAAAAAUGGACAUCAUGAUGUCCAUUUUUGGCAU

Example 3 In Vitro Screening of ALAS1 siRNA Duplexes for ALAS1 KnockdownActivity

ALAS1 siRNA duplexes were screened for the ability to knockdown ALAS1expression in vitro.

In Vitro Screening

Cell Culture and Transfections

Hep3B cells (ATCC, Manassas, Va.) were grown to near confluence at 37°C. in an atmosphere of 5% CO₂ in MEM (ATCC) supplemented with 10% FBS,before being released from the plate by trypsinization. Transfection wascarried out by adding 14.8 μl of Opti-MEM plus 0.2 μl of LipofectamineRNAiMax per well (Invitrogen, Carlsbad Calif. cat #13778-150) to 5 μl ofsiRNA duplexes per well into a 96-well plate and incubated at roomtemperature for 15 minutes. 80 μl of complete growth media containing˜2×10⁴ Hep3B cells were then added to the siRNA mixture. Cells wereincubated for either 24 or 120 hours prior to RNA purification. Singledose experiments were performed at 10 nM and 0.1 nM final duplexconcentration and dose response experiments were done at 10, 1.67, 0.27,0.046, 0.0077, 0.0013, 0.00021, 0.00004 nM final duplex concentration.

Total RNA Isolation Using DYNABEADS mRNA Isolation Kit (Invitrogen, Part#: 610-12)

Cells were harvested and lysed in 150 μl of Lysis/Binding Buffer thenmixed for 5 minutes at 850 rpm using an Eppendorf Thermomixer (themixing speed was the same throughout the process). Ten microliters ofmagnetic beads and 80 μl Lysis/Binding Buffer mixture were added to around bottom plate and mixed for 1 minute. Magnetic beads were capturedusing magnetic stand and the supernatant was removed without disturbingthe beads. After removing supernatant, the lysed cells were added to theremaining beads and mixed for 5 minutes. After removing supernatant,magnetic beads were washed 2 times with 150 μl Wash Buffer A and mixedfor 1 minute. Beads were captured again and supernatant removed. Beadswere then washed with 150 μl Wash Buffer B, captured and supernatant wasremoved. Beads were next washed with 150 μl Elution Buffer, captured andsupernatant removed. Beads were allowed to dry for 2 minutes. Afterdrying, 50 μl of Elution Buffer was added and mixed for 5 minutes at 70°C. Beads were captured on magnet for 5 minutes. 40 μl of supernatant wasremoved and added to another 96 well plate.

cDNA Synthesis Using ABI High Capacity cDNA Reverse Transcription Kit(Applied Biosystems, Foster City, Calif., Cat #4368813)

A master mix of 2 μl 10× Buffer, 0.8 μl 25× dNTPs, 2 μl Random primers,1 μl Reverse Transcriptase, 1 μl RNase inhibitor and 3.2 μl of H₂O perreaction were added into 10 μl total RNA. cDNA was generated using aBio-Rad C-1000 or S-1000 thermal cycler (Hercules, Calif.) through thefollowing steps: 25° C. 10 min, 37° C. 120 min, 85° C. 5 sec, 4° C.hold.

Real Time PCR

2 μl of cDNA were added to a master mix containing 0.5 μl GAPDH TaqManProbe (Applied Biosystems Cat #4326317E), 0.5 μl ALAS1 TaqMan probe(Applied Biosystems cat #Hs00167441_m1) and 5 al Lightcycler 480 probemaster mix (Roche Cat #04887301001) per well in a 384 well plates (Rochecat #04887301001). Real time PCR was done in a Roche LC480 Real Time PCRsystem (Roche) using the ΔΔCt(RQ) assay. Each duplex was tested in twoindependent transfections with two biological replicates each, and eachtransfection was assayed in duplicate, unless otherwise noted in thesummary tables.

To calculate relative fold change, real time data were analyzed usingthe ΔΔCt method and normalized to assays performed with cellstransfected with 10 nM AD-1955, or mock transfected cells. IC50s werecalculated using a 4 parameter fit model using XLFit and normalized tocells transfected with AD-1955 or naïve cells over the same dose range,or to its own lowest dose.

In Vitro Knockdown of Endogenous ALAS1 Expression by ALAS1 siRNADuplexes

Table 4 illustrates the knockdown of ALAS1 in Hep3B cells by ALAS1modified siRNA duplexes (See Table 2). Silencing is expressed as thefraction RNA message remaining relative to the negative (luciferase)control siRNA AD-1955. Data were generated as described above followingtransfection of 10 nM or 0.1 nM of each siRNA. qPCR was run using theALAS1 TaqMan probe Hs00167441_m1.

TABLE 4 ALAS1 expression in Hep3B cells following transfection withALAS1 siRNA 10 nM 0.1 nM 10 nM 0.1 nM Duplex ID Avg Avg STDEV STDEVAD-55078.2 0.7 0.87 0.001 0.089 AD-55084.2 0.08 0.3 0 0.04 AD-55090.20.06 0.08 0.002 0.003 AD-55096.2 0.61 0.92 0.171 0.34 AD-55102.2 0.630.62 0.005 0.069 AD-55106.2 0.07 0.08 0.004 0.027 AD-55111.2 0.06 0.230.013 0.062 AD-55073.2 0.21 0.4 0.018 0.061 AD-55079.2 0.17 0.43 0.0330.089 AD-55085.2 0.13 0.21 0.011 0.019 AD-55091.2 0.27 0.55 0.033 0.009AD-55097.2 0.31 0.38 0.051 0.059 AD-55103.2 0.05 0.11 0.017 0.006AD-55107.2 0.12 0.24 0.007 0.008 AD-55112.2 0.15 0.2 0.036 0.025AD-55074.2 0.16 0.45 0.008 0.002 AD-55080.2 0.79 0.99 0.095 0.304AD-55086.2 0.09 0.22 0.005 0.035 AD-55098.2 0.25 0.51 0.03 0.07AD-55104.2 0.06 0.1 0.017 0.001 AD-55108.2 0.47 0.65 0.03 0.015AD-55113.2 0.38 0.62 0.068 0.039 AD-55075.2 0.12 0.28 0.007 0.051AD-55081.2 0.21 0.51 0.036 0.066 AD-55087.2 0.1 0.19 0.017 0.02AD-55093.2 0.24 0.56 0.029 0.053 AD-55099.2 0.05 0.18 0.001 0.038AD-53573.3 0.67 1.07 0.16 0.153 AD-55109.2 0.07 0.23 0.006 0.052AD-55114.2 0.08 0.16 0.004 0.017 AD-55076.2 0.05 0.14 0.007 0.035AD-55082.2 0.08 0.3 0.019 0.016 AD-55088.2 0.06 0.12 0.008 0.02AD-55094.2 0.06 0.18 0.005 0.023 AD-55100.2 0.45 0.83 0.02 0.05AD-55105.2 0.02 0.05 0.005 0.004 AD-55110.2 0.15 0.19 0.031 0.016AD-55115.2 0.35 0.58 0.045 0.052 AD-55077.2 0.14 0.14 0.006 0.019AD-55083.2 0.56 0.98 0.24 0.188 AD-55089.2 0.62 0.79 0.036 0.094AD-55095.2 0.59 0.92 0.12 0.079 AD-55101.2 0.71 0.97 0.074 0.097 AD-19551.00 1.01 0.03 0.04 AD-53511.1 0.84 1.08 0.028 0.0515 AD-53512.1 0.150.65 0.062 0.023 AD-53513.1 0.34 0.86 0.055 0.011 AD-53514.1 0.12 0.610.003 0.008 AD-53515.1 0.25 0.66 0.005 0.004 AD-53516.1 1.05 1.02 0.0320.011 AD-53517.1 0.145 0.725 0.025 0.0155 AD-53518.1 0.72 0.85 0.0450.028 AD-53519.1 0.18 0.66 0.061 0.004 AD-53520.1 0.18 0.9 0.041 0.001AD-53521.1 0.97 1.07 0.01 0.003 AD-53522.1 0.87 1.1 0.065 0.112AD-53523.1 0.48 0.96 0.0305 0.0255 AD-53524.1 0.11 0.66 0.02 0.006AD-53525.1 0.71 1.03 0.016 0.01 AD-53526.1 0.23 0.85 0.075 0.01AD-53527.1 0.25 0.83 0.015 0.017 AD-53528.1 0.44 0.93 0.037 0.006AD-53529.1 0.185 0.73 0.015 0.014 AD-53530.1 0.1 0.62 0.02 0.003AD-53531.1 0.48 0.93 0.019 0.045 AD-53532.1 0.06 0.17 0 0.003 AD-53533.10.36 0.93 0.025 0.034 AD-53534.1 0.1 0.36 0.014 0.012 AD-53535.1 0.581.05 0.036 0.071 AD-53536.1 0.12 0.45 0.009 0.026 AD-53537.1 0.73 0.960.101 0.015 AD-53538.1 0.74 1.07 0 0.046 AD-53539.1 0.52 0.97 0.0570.032 AD-53540.1 0.1 0.47 0.017 0.012 AD-53541.1 0.11 0.29 0.026 0.015AD-53542.1 0.08 0.23 0.008 0.006 AD-53543.1 0.62 1.01 0.027 0.014AD-53544.1 0.8 1.04 0.002 0.001 AD-53545.1 0.17 0.73 0.007 0.007AD-53546.1 0.27 0.93 0.058 0.019 AD-53547.1 0.12 0.28 0.008 0.01AD-53548.1 0.1 0.34 0.022 0.002 AD-53549.1 0.8 1.04 0.011 0.026AD-53550.1 0.05 0.54 0.02 0.003 AD-53551.1 0.96 1.16 0.029 0.044AD-53552.1 0.13 0.5 0.002 0.009 AD-53553.1 0.92 1.1 0.027 0.02AD-53554.1 0.76 0.67 0.005 0.004 AD-53555.1 0.11 0.53 0.009 0.007AD-53561.1 0.72 0.94 0.014 0.001 AD-53567.1 0.16 0.66 0.019 0.003AD-53573.1 1.06 1.10 0.019 0.037 AD-53579.1 0.19 0.76 0.036 0.019IC₅₀s of Select ALAS1 siRNA Duplexes in In Vitro Screen

Table 5 illustrates the IC₅₀s of select ALAS1 siRNA duplexes determinedfrom the knockdown of endogenously expressed ALAS1 in the Hep3B cellline, by ALAS1 modified siRNA duplexes (see Table 2). Data weregenerated as described above, at 24 or 120 hours following transfectionof each siRNA duplex. Silencing of ALAS1 is expressed as the fractionmRNA message remaining relative to the siRNA AD-1955, a non-targetingsiRNA that was used as a negative control. Data from replicatetransfection experiments were used to fit a single line to determine theIC₅₀. Several of the duplexes (e.g., AD-53541.1, AD-53542.1, andAD-53547.1) had an IC₅₀ as low as about 0.03 nM at 24 hours. Numerousduplexes had an IC₅₀ of less than 0.1 nM (e.g., AD-53534.1, AD-53536.1,AD-53540.1, AD-53541.1, AD-53542.1, AD-53547.1, AD-53548.1, AD-53550.1,AD-53552.1) at 24 hours, and some of these also had an IC₅₀ of less than0.1 nM (e.g., AD-53534.1, AD-53540.1, AD-53541.1, AD-53542.1,AD-53547.1, AD-53552.1) at 120 hours.

TABLE 5 IC₅₀s of select ALAS1 siRNA duplexes normalized to AD-1955 IC50(nM) DUPLEX ID 24 hrs 120 hrs AD-53534.1 0.045 0.076 AD-53536.1 0.0490.105 AD-53540.1 0.054 0.077 AD-53541.1 0.032 0.062 AD-53542.1 0.0280.093 AD-53547.1 0.03 0.062 AD-53548.1 0.044 0.101 AD-53550.1 0.0850.152 AD-53552.1 0.077 0.063 AD-53567.1 0.219 0.357 AD-53579.1 0.2170.566

Example 4 In Vivo Silencing Using a Mouse/Rat ALAS1 siRNA Formulated asa LNP

The sequences of the modified duplex AD-53558 are shown in Table 6below.

TABLE 6 Sequences of ALAS1 siRNA Duplex AD-53558.4 SEQ Start Posi- IDtion on SEQ ID NO: transcript NO: (anti- of Duplex Sense SequenceAntisense Sequence (sense) sense) NM_020559.2 Name (5′-3′) (5′-3′) 383384 1184 AD-53558 cuGuGAAAuuuAcucuGAudTsdT AUcAGAGuAAAUUUcAcAGdTsdT

This duplex was formulated as a LNP11 formulation (see Table 10 above).The LNP-formulated AD-53558 siRNA was tested in in vivo in mice (N=25animals; 5 animals per group) and rats (N=20 animals; 4 animals pergroup) and was confirmed to silence ALAS1 mRNA in vivo. The results areshown in FIG. 5 and FIG. 6.

FIG. 5 shows that the siRNA demonstrated a dose-response effect in mice.The expression of mouse ALAS1 (mALAS1) mRNA was reduced by about 78%when the siRNA was administered at 1 mg/kg; mouse ALAS1 mRNA was reducedby about 60% when the siRNA was administered at 0.3 mg/kg; and mouseALAS1 mRNA was reduced by about 49% when the siRNA was administered at0.1 mg/kg. These reductions are expressed relative to a PBS control. AnAD-1955 LUC control was also employed, as shown in FIG. 5.

Similarly, FIG. 6 shows that the siRNA demonstrated a dose-responseeffect in rats. The expression of ALAS1 RNA was reduced by about 70%when the when the siRNA was administered at 1 mg/kg; ALAS1 mRNA wasreduced by about 62% when the siRNA was administered at 0.3 mg/kg; andALAS1 mRNA was reduced by about 34% when the siRNA was administered at0.1 mg/kg.

The durability of silencing was also tested in mice (N=15; 3 animals pertimepoint. The results are shown in FIG. 7, which shows that AD-53558suppressed mALAS1 mRNA by about 80% for at least 9 days. Suppression ofat least about 50% persisted for at least 14 days.

Example 5 Efficacy of ALAS1 siRNA in an Animal Model of AIP

The effects of the AD-53558 LNP11 formulation (a mouse/rat ALAS1 siRNAdescribed in the previous example) were investigated in a mouse model ofAIP. The PBGD knockout is not viable (−/−, 0% activity). HeterozygousPBGD knockout mice (+/−, ˜50% activity) are available but do not havethe full biochemical phenotype and thus do not recapitulate the humandisease phenotype. Thus, a mouse model of AIP has been developed that isa compound heterozygote with T1/T2 alleles, including T1 (+/−) promoterdisruption and T2 (−/−) splice-site alteration. These mice have beenshown to have hepatic residual PBGD activity that is about ˜30% of thewild-type level and normal or slightly elevated baseline plasma ALA andPBG levels. The mice have been found to appear normal early in life andto become slightly slower and ataxic with age. By six months of age, themice have been documented to develop impaired motor coordination andmuscular performance and axonal degeneration on pathologicalexamination. Investigation of the pathology of the mouse model has shownaxonal degeneration, impaired motor coordination and muscularperformance in older mice. Urinary and plasma ALA and PBG have beenfound to markedly increase with serial i.p. administration ofphenobarbital (see Lindberg et al., (1996), Nature Genetics, 12:195-219and Lindberg et al., (1999), Journal of Clinical Investigation,103:1127-34). The mice were rescued by AAV-mediated expression of PBGDin the liver (Yasuda et al. (2010), Molecular Medicine, 1:17-22 and Unzuet al. (2011), Molecular Medicine, 2:243-50).

On day 1, the mice were administered 1 mg/kg ALAS1 siRNA (n=5) or LUCAD-1955 control (n=3) by i.v. injection. Three phenobarbitol injectionswere given (1 injection per day on days 2, 3, and 4) to induce hepaticALAS1 and the porphyrin precursors, ALA and PBG. Plasma and overnighturine specimens were collected on day 5 and metabolite levels weremeasured by LC-MS. Metabolite levels were measured in plasma by LC-MSand were also measured in urine. Baseline levels of metabolites weremeasured prior to the first treatment on day 1. The results are shown inFIGS. 8-12 and in Tables 12 and 13.

FIG. 8 and FIG. 9 show the plasma ALA levels in μM. Baseline ALA levelswere low, (n=4), and phenobarbitol treatment induced significantincreases in plasma ALA levels in the control LUC siRNA treated animals(n=3). Treatment with ALAS1 siRNA inhibited the induction of plasma ALA(n=5), as shown in FIG. 8. The ALAS1 siRNA was consistently effective inblocking the induction of plasma ALA in each of the individual animalsstudied (see FIG. 9). These results indicate that ALAS1 siRNA treatmentwas effective in preventing the increases in plasma ALA associated withthe phenobarbital-induced acute attacks in this AIP animal model.

FIG. 10 and FIG. 11 show the plasma PBG levels in μM. Baseline PBGlevels were low (n=4), and phenobarbitol treatment induced significantincreases in plasma PBG levels in the control LUC siRNA treated animals(n=3) Treatment with ALAS1 siRNA inhibited the induction of plasma PBG(n=5), as shown in FIG. 10. The ALAS1 siRNA was consistently effectivein blocking the induction of plasma PBG in each of the individualanimals studied (see FIG. 11). These results indicate that ALAS1 siRNAtreatment was effective in preventing the increases in plasma PBGassociated with the phenobarbital-induced acute attacks in this AIPanimal model.

Tables 12 and 13 shows urine ALA and PBG levels at baseline and afterphenobarbitol treatment in LUC siRNA (n=2) control (CTR, which refers toa PBS buffer treated animal, n=1) and ALAS1 siRNA (n=5) treated animals.

TABLE 12 Urine data from individual animals showing prevention ofinduced acute attack ALA PBG ALA PBG (micro (micro Creatinine (microM/mg(microM/mg Mouse ID M/l) M/L) (mg/dl) creatinine) creatinine) siRNA PBHa-17-4-6 29.7 7.9 Baseline − Ha-19-5-4/2 15.7 5.1 Baseline −Ha-20-39-4/3 28.6 6.7 Baseline − Ha-20-38-4 21.4 4.7 Baseline −Ha-21-33-4 934.92 483.71 0.4205 222.33 115.03 Luc + Ha-21-36-9 944.08563.53 0.5055 186.76 111.48 Luc + Ha-21-18-8 32.88 8.69 0.133 24.72 6.53ALAS1; + 1 mg/kg Ha-21-33-7 83.07 23.28 0.426 19.50 5.46 ALAS1; + 1mg/kg Ha-21-34-5 59.15 18.41 0.263 22.49 7.00 ALAS1; + 1 mg/kg PB standsfor phenobarbitol. A “+” indicates that phenobarbitol was administered.

TABLE 13 Average Urine Data Mean ALA Mean PEG (microM/mg creatinine)(microM/mg creatinine) 23.8 6.1 AIP Baseline 204.55 113.26 Luc-siRNA22.24 6.33 ALAS1-siRNA

Phenobarbitol treatment induced strong increases (˜25-30 fold increases)in urine ALA (˜9-fold over baseline levels) and PBG (˜19-fold overbaseline levels) in the LUC siRNA treated mice, control, whereas suchincreases were not observed in the ALAS1 siRNA treated animals. Thus,ALAS1 siRNA blocked phenobarbitol-induced increases in urinary ALA andPBG. These results are consistent with the plasma measurements and showthat ALAS1 siRNA treatment was effective in preventing increases inurinary metabolites (ALA and PBG) associated with thephenobarbital-induced acute attacks in this AIP animal model.

In further experiments (FIG. 12), it was found that phenobarbitoltreatment induced large increases (˜25 fold) in ALAS1 mRNA expression inthe liver of the mouse model. Administration of ALAS1 siRNA completelyblocked this ALAS1 mRNA induction. These results provide furtherevidence that ALAS1 siRNA is effective in an animal model of AIP.

Collectively, the results provided in this Example show that ALAS1 siRNAwas effective in treating acute attacks in an animal model of the acutehepatic porphyria AIP. Multiple outcome measures support thisconclusion, including plasma ALA levels, plasma PBG levels, urine ALAlevels, urine PBG levels, and liver ALAS1 mRNA expression levels.

Example 6 In Vivo Silencing Using GalNAc-Conjugated Mouse ALAS1 siRNA

The experiments described in this example investigated the in vivoefficacy of three GalNAc-conjugated siRNAs (see Table 7). These siRNAswere designed and produced with methods such as those described inExample 2.

TABLE 7 Sequences AD-57929 Position Position  of sense of SEQ seq. onantisense SEQ ID trans- seq. on ID NO: cript transcript NO: (anti- NM_Duplex NM_ (sense) sense) 020559.2 Name Sense Sequence (5′-3′)Antisense Sequence (5′-3′) 020559.2 385 386  775- AD-AfaGfuCfuGfuUfUfCfcAfcUfuUfuCfa uUfgAfaAfaGfuGfgaaAfcAfgAfc  773-  79556211 AfL96 UfusUfsg  795 387 388 2168- AD-AfcAfuAfgUfaGfCfCfaGfaAfuUfgUfc aGfaCfaAfuUfcUfggcUfaCfuAfu 2166- 218856173 UfL96 GfusGfsg 2188 389 390  775- AD-AfsasGfuCfuGfuUfUfCfcAfcUfuUfuC usUfsgAfaAfaGfuGfgaaAfcAfgA  773-  79557929 faAfL96 fcUfususg  795

The mice (n=40; n=4 per experimental condition) were divided into groupsthat received PBS or doses of 3 mg/kg, 10 mg/kg, or 30 mg/kg of siRNAadministered subcutaneously. The level of mALAS1/mGAPDH mRNA, relativeto the PBS control, was determined in liver cells at 72 hourspost-administration. The results are shown in FIG. 13. There was not aclear dose-response effect for the siRNAs AD-56211 and AD-56173. Incontrast, the ALAS1 siRNA AD-57929 showed a dose-response effect ininhibiting mALAS1 expression. These results demonstrate that an ALAS1GalNAc conjugate was effective in inhibiting expression of ALAS1 mRNA invivo and showed a dose-response effect.

Example 7 Human siRNAs

Additional human siRNAs were designed and produced as described inExample 2. The top 45 siRNAs were selected based on their predictedefficacy. The sequences of these 45 siRNAs are provided in Table 8.

TABLE 8 Human ALAS1 siRNA Sense and Antisense Sequences SEQ ID SEQ IDNO: Position on NO: (anti- transcript Sense Sequence Antisense Sequence(sense) sense) NM_000688.4 (5′-3′) (5′-3′) 391 392 1635-1657CAUGCCAAAAAUGGACAUCAU AUGAUGUCCAUUUUUGGCAUGAC 393 394 2352-2374UAAAUUUUAAUCUAUAGUAAA UUUACUAUAGAUUAAAAUUUAAU 395 396 1324-1346GGCUGUGAGAUUUACUCUGAU AUCAGAGUAAAUCUCACAGCCUG 397 398 1637-1659UGCCAAAAAUGGACAUCAUUU AAAUGAUGUCCAUUUUUGGCAUG 399 400 1363-1385AUGAUCCAAGGGAUUCGAAAC GUUUCGAAUCCCUUGGAUCAUGG 401 402 925-947ACUUUUCAGUAUGAUCGUUUC GAAACGAUCAUACUGAAAAGUGG 403 404 790-812CCCAGUGUGGUUAGUGUGAAA UUUCACACUAACCACACUGGGGC 405 406 1531-1553UGUGAUGUGGCCCAUGAGUUU AAACUCAUGGGCCACAUCACACA 407 408 2189-2211AUUUUGAAGUGAUGAGUGAAA UUUCACUCAUCACUUCAAAAUGC 409 410 929-951UUCAGUAUGAUCGUUUCUUUG CAAAGAAACGAUCAUACUGAAAA 411 412 872-894GACCAGAAAGAGUGUCUCAUC GAUGAGACACUCUUUCUGGUCUU 413 414 706-728UUCUGCAAAGCCAGUCUUGAG CUCAAGACUGGCUUUGCAGAAGA 415 416 1362-1384CAUGAUCCAAGGGAUUCGAAA UUUCGAAUCCCUUGGAUCAUGGA 417 418 1634-1656UCAUGCCAAAAAUGGACAUCA UGAUGUCCAUUUUUGGCAUGACU 419 420 1325-1347GCUGUGAGAUUUACUCUGAUU AAUCAGAGUAAAUCUCACAGCCU 421 422 2208-2230AAGAGAGAAGUCCUAUUUCUC GAGAAAUAGGACUUCUCUCUUUC 423 424 2344-2366AGUUAUAUUAAAUUUUAAUCU AGAUUAAAAUUUAAUAUAACUUA 425 426 924-946CACUUUUCAGUAUGAUCGUUU AAACGAUCAUACUGAAAAGUGGA 427 428 873-895ACCAGAAAGAGUGUCUCAUCU AGAUGAGACACUCUUUCUGGUCU 429 430 759-781GAGGAAAGAGGUUGCUGAAAC GUUUCAGCAACCUCUUUCCUCAC 431 432 871-893AGACCAGAAAGAGUGUCUCAU AUGAGACACUCUUUCUGGUCUUU 433 434 1183-1205AAUAUUUCUGGAACUAGUAAA UUUACUAGUUCCAGAAAUAUUUC 435 436 2229-2251AGGCUUGAGCAAGUUGGUAUC GAUACCAACUUGCUCAAGCCUGA 437 438 671-693UGGCAGCACAGAUGAAUCAGA UCUGAUUCAUCUGUGCUGCCAGG 439 440 2187-2209GCAUUUUGAAGUGAUGAGUGA UCACUCAUCACUUCAAAAUGCAG 441 442 913-935AAAUCUGUUUCCACUUUUCAG CUGAAAAGUGGAAACAGAUUUUG 443 444 1977-1999ACUAAUGAGCAGACAUAACAU AUGUUAUGUCUGCUCAUUAGUUC 445 446 1174-1196GGUACUAGAAAUAUUUCUGGA UCCAGAAAUAUUUCUAGUACCAC 447 448 1810-1832AUCCUGAAGAGCGCUGAGGGA UCCCUCAGCGCUCUUCAGGAUCC 449 450 892-914CUUCUUCAAGAUAACUUGCCA UGGCAAGUUAUCUUGAAGAAGAU 451 452 877-899GAAAGAGUGUCUCAUCUUCUU AAGAAGAUGAGACACUCUUUCUG 453 454 935-957AUGAUCGUUUCUUUGAGAAAA UUUUCUCAAAGAAACGAUCAUAC 455 456 1975-1997GAACUAAUGAGCAGACAUAAC GUUAUGUCUGCUCAUUAGUUCAU 457 458 1478-1500CAUUUGAAACUGUCCAUUCAA UUGAAUGGACAGUUUCAAAUGCC 459 460 2366-2388UAGUAAAAACAUAGUCCUGGA UCCAGGACUAUGUUUUUACUAUA 461 462 853-875GACAUCAUGCAAAAGCAAAGA UCUUUGCUUUUGCAUGAUGUCCU 463 464 1966-1988GUCUGUGAUGAACUAAUGAGC GCUCAUUAGUUCAUCACAGACUU 465 466 928-950UUUCAGUAUGAUCGUUUCUUU AAAGAAACGAUCAUACUGAAAAG 467 468 1186-1208AUUUCUGGAACUAGUAAAUUC GAAUUUACUAGUUCCAGAAAUAU 469 470 1189-1211UCUGGAACUAGUAAAUUCCAU AUGGAAUUUACUAGUUCCAGAAA 471 472 973-995AAUGACCACACCUAUCGAGUU AACUCGAUAGGUGUGGUCAUUCU 473 474  983-1005CCUAUCGAGUUUUUAAAACUG CAGUUUUAAAAACUCGAUAGGUG 475 476 1185-1207UAUUUCUGGAACUAGUAAAUU AAUUUACUAGUUCCAGAAAUAUU 477 478 2353-2375AAAUUUUAAUCUAUAGUAAAA UUUUACUAUAGAUUAAAAUUUAA 479 480 875-897CAGAAAGAGUGUCUCAUCUUC GAAGAUGAGACACUCUUUCUGGU 481 482 360-378GCCCAUUCUUAUCCCGAGU ACUCGGGAUAAGAAUGGGC 483 484 428-446CAAAACUGCCCCAAGAUGA UCAUCUUGGGGCAGUUUUG 485 486 873-891CAGAAAGAGUGUCUCAUCU AGAUGAGACACUCUUUCUG 487 488 874-892AGAAAGAGUGUCUCAUCUU AAGAUGAGACACUCUUUCU 489 490 877-895AAGAGUGUCUCAUCUUCUU AAGAAGAUGAGACACUCUU 491 492 1295-1313CUCUUCACCCUGGCUAAGA UCUUAGCCAGGGUGAAGAG 493 494 1296-1314UCUUCACCCUGGCUAAGAU AUCUUAGCCAGGGUGAAGA 495 496 1299-1317UCACCCUGGCUAAGAUGAU AUCAUCUUAGCCAGGGUGA 497 498 1347-1365GGAACCAUGCCUCCAUGAU AUCAUGGAGGCAUGGUUCC 499 500 1355-1373GCCUCCAUGAUCCAAGGGA UCCCUUGGAUCAUGGAGGC 501 502 1356-1374CCUCCAUGAUCCAAGGGAU AUCCCUUGGAUCAUGGAGG 503 504 1357-1375CUCCAUGAUCCAAGGGAUU AAUCCCUUGGAUCAUGGAG 505 506 1631-1649GUCAUGCCAAAAAUGGACA UGUCCAUUUUUGGCAUGAC 507 508 1634-1652AUGCCAAAAAUGGACAUCA UGAUGUCCAUUUUUGGCAU 509 510 1635-1653UGCCAAAAAUGGACAUCAU AUGAUGUCCAUUUUUGGCA 511 512 1791-1809CCCUGGAGUCUGUGCGGAU AUCCGCACAGACUCCAGGG 513 514 1794-1812UGGAGUCUGUGCGGAUCCU AGGAUCCGCACAGACUCCA 515 516 1921-1939CAUCAUCCCUGUGCGGGUU AACCCGCACAGGGAUGAUG 517 518 359-377UGCCCAUUCUUAUCCCGAA UUCGGGAUAAGAAUGGGCA 519 520 362-380CCAUUCUUAUCCCGAGUCA UGACUCGGGAUAAGAAUGG 521 522 363-381CAUUCUUAUCCCGAGUCCA UGGACUCGGGAUAAGAAUG 523 524 434-452UGCCCCAAGAUGAUGGAAU AUUCCAUCAUCUUGGGGCA 525 526 872-890CCAGAAAGAGUGUCUCAUA UAUGAGACACUCUUUCUGG 527 528 875-893GAAAGAGUGUCUCAUCUUA UAAGAUGAGACACUCUUUC 529 530 1112-1130CACCCACGGGUGUGUGGGA UCCCACACACCCGUGGGUG 531 532 1113-1131ACCCACGGGUGUGUGGGGA UCCCCACACACCCGUGGGU 533 534 1297-1315CUUCACCCUGGCUAAGAUA UAUCUUAGCCAGGGUGAAG 535 536 1300-1318CACCCUGGCUAAGAUGAUA UAUCAUCUUAGCCAGGGUG 537 538 1301-1319ACCCUGGCUAAGAUGAUGA UCAUCAUCUUAGCCAGGGU 539 540 1348-1366GAACCAUGCCUCCAUGAUA UAUCAUGGAGGCAUGGUUC 541 542 1481-1499GAAACUGUCCAUUCAAUGA UCAUUGAAUGGACAGUUUC 543 544 1786-1804UGGAGCCCUGGAGUCUGUA UACAGACUCCAGGGCUCCA 545 546 1795-1813GGAGUCUGUGCGGAUCCUA UAGGAUCCGCACAGACUCC 547 548 1919-1937CACAUCAUCCCUGUGCGGA UCCGCACAGGGAUGAUGUG 549 550 1922-1940AUCAUCCCUGUGCGGGUUA UAACCCGCACAGGGAUGAU 551 552 1923-1941UCAUCCCUGUGCGGGUUGA UCAACCCGCACAGGGAUGA

Example 8 Human siRNAs

Additional 19 mer human siRNAs were generated. The sequences of thesesiRNAs are provided in Table 9. These siRNAs can be tested for efficacyusing methods described herein and/or methods known in the art.

TABLE 9 Human ALAS1 siRNA Sense and Antisense Sequences SEQ Position SEQID on ID NO: transcript NO: (anti- NM_ Sense Sequence Antisense Sequence(sense) sense) 000688.4 (5′-3′) (5′-3′)  553  554  4-22UAUAUUAAGGCGCCGGCGA UCGCCGGCGCCUUAAUAUA  555  556  5-23AUAUUAAGGCGCCGGCGAU AUCGCCGGCGCCUUAAUAU  557  558  6-24UAUUAAGGCGCCGGCGAUC GAUCGCCGGCGCCUUAAUA  559  560  7-25AUUAAGGCGCCGGCGAUCG CGAUCGCCGGCGCCUUAAU  561  562  8-26UUAAGGCGCCGGCGAUCGC GCGAUCGCCGGCGCCUUAA  563  564  9-27UAAGGCGCCGGCGAUCGCG CGCGAUCGCCGGCGCCUUA  565  566 10-28AAGGCGCCGGCGAUCGCGG CCGCGAUCGCCGGCGCCUU  567  568 11-29AGGCGCCGGCGAUCGCGGC GCCGCGAUCGCCGGCGCCU  569  570 12-30GGCGCCGGCGAUCGCGGCC GGCCGCGAUCGCCGGCGCC  571  572 13-31GCGCCGGCGAUCGCGGCCU AGGCCGCGAUCGCCGGCGC  573  574 14-32CGCCGGCGAUCGCGGCCUG CAGGCCGCGAUCGCCGGCG  575  576 81-99CUUGAGUGCCCGCCUCCUU AAGGAGGCGGGCACUCAAG  577  578  82-100UUGAGUGCCCGCCUCCUUC GAAGGAGGCGGGCACUCAA  579  580  83-101UGAGUGCCCGCCUCCUUCG CGAAGGAGGCGGGCACUCA  581  582  84-102GAGUGCCCGCCUCCUUCGC GCGAAGGAGGCGGGCACUC  583  584  85-103AGUGCCCGCCUCCUUCGCC GGCGAAGGAGGCGGGCACU  585  586  86-104GUGCCCGCCUCCUUCGCCG CGGCGAAGGAGGCGGGCAC  587  588  87-105UGCCCGCCUCCUUCGCCGC GCGGCGAAGGAGGCGGGCA  589  590  88-106GCCCGCCUCCUUCGCCGCC GGCGGCGAAGGAGGCGGGC  591  592  89-107CCCGCCUCCUUCGCCGCCG CGGCGGCGAAGGAGGCGGG  593  594  90-108CCGCCUCCUUCGCCGCCGC GCGGCGGCGAAGGAGGCGG  595  596  91-109CGCCUCCUUCGCCGCCGCC GGCGGCGGCGAAGGAGGCG  597  598  92-110GCCUCCUUCGCCGCCGCCU AGGCGGCGGCGAAGGAGGC  599  600  93-111CCUCCUUCGCCGCCGCCUC GAGGCGGCGGCGAAGGAGG  601  602 356-374CGCUGCCCAUUCUUAUCCC GGGAUAAGAAUGGGCAGCG  603  604 357-375GCUGCCCAUUCUUAUCCCG CGGGAUAAGAAUGGGCAGC  605  606 359-377UGCCCAUUCUUAUCCCGAG CUCGGGAUAAGAAUGGGCA  607  608 361-379CCCAUUCUUAUCCCGAGUC GACUCGGGAUAAGAAUGGG  609  610 362-380CCAUUCUUAUCCCGAGUCC GGACUCGGGAUAAGAAUGG  611  612 363-381CAUUCUUAUCCCGAGUCCC GGGACUCGGGAUAAGAAUG  613  614 364-382AUUCUUAUCCCGAGUCCCC GGGGACUCGGGAUAAGAAU  615  616 365-383UUCUUAUCCCGAGUCCCCC GGGGGACUCGGGAUAAGAA  617  618 366-384UCUUAUCCCGAGUCCCCCA UGGGGGACUCGGGAUAAGA  619  620 367-385CUUAUCCCGAGUCCCCCAG CUGGGGGACUCGGGAUAAG  621  622 368-386UUAUCCCGAGUCCCCCAGG CCUGGGGGACUCGGGAUAA  623  624 369-387UAUCCCGAGUCCCCCAGGC GCCUGGGGGACUCGGGAUA  625  626 370-388AUCCCGAGUCCCCCAGGCC GGCCUGGGGGACUCGGGAU  627  628 371-389UCCCGAGUCCCCCAGGCCU AGGCCUGGGGGACUCGGGA  629  630 372-390CCCGAGUCCCCCAGGCCUU AAGGCCUGGGGGACUCGGG  631  632 373-391CCGAGUCCCCCAGGCCUUU AAAGGCCUGGGGGACUCGG  633  634 374-392CGAGUCCCCCAGGCCUUUC GAAAGGCCUGGGGGACUCG  635  636 375-393GAGUCCCCCAGGCCUUUCU AGAAAGGCCUGGGGGACUC  637  638 376-394AGUCCCCCAGGCCUUUCUG CAGAAAGGCCUGGGGGACU  639  640 377-395GUCCCCCAGGCCUUUCUGC GCAGAAAGGCCUGGGGGAC  641  642 378-396UCCCCCAGGCCUUUCUGCA UGCAGAAAGGCCUGGGGGA  643  644 379-397CCCCCAGGCCUUUCUGCAG CUGCAGAAAGGCCUGGGGG  645  646 380-398CCCCAGGCCUUUCUGCAGA UCUGCAGAAAGGCCUGGGG  647  648 381-399CCCAGGCCUUUCUGCAGAA UUCUGCAGAAAGGCCUGGG  649  650 382-400CCAGGCCUUUCUGCAGAAA UUUCUGCAGAAAGGCCUGG  651  652 383-401CAGGCCUUUCUGCAGAAAG CUUUCUGCAGAAAGGCCUG  653  654 384-402AGGCCUUUCUGCAGAAAGC GCUUUCUGCAGAAAGGCCU  655  656 385-403GGCCUUUCUGCAGAAAGCA UGCUUUCUGCAGAAAGGCC  657  658 386-404GCCUUUCUGCAGAAAGCAG CUGCUUUCUGCAGAAAGGC  659  660 387-405CCUUUCUGCAGAAAGCAGG CCUGCUUUCUGCAGAAAGG  661  662 388-406CUUUCUGCAGAAAGCAGGC GCCUGCUUUCUGCAGAAAG  663  664 389-407UUUCUGCAGAAAGCAGGCA UGCCUGCUUUCUGCAGAAA  665  666 390-408UUCUGCAGAAAGCAGGCAA UUGCCUGCUUUCUGCAGAA  667  668 391-409UCUGCAGAAAGCAGGCAAA UUUGCCUGCUUUCUGCAGA  669  670 392-410CUGCAGAAAGCAGGCAAAU AUUUGCCUGCUUUCUGCAG  671  672 393-411UGCAGAAAGCAGGCAAAUC GAUUUGCCUGCUUUCUGCA  673  674 394-412GCAGAAAGCAGGCAAAUCU AGAUUUGCCUGCUUUCUGC  675  676 395-413CAGAAAGCAGGCAAAUCUC GAGAUUUGCCUGCUUUCUG  677  678 396-414AGAAAGCAGGCAAAUCUCU AGAGAUUUGCCUGCUUUCU  679  680 397-415GAAAGCAGGCAAAUCUCUG CAGAGAUUUGCCUGCUUUC  681  682 398-416AAAGCAGGCAAAUCUCUGU ACAGAGAUUUGCCUGCUUU  683  684 399-417AAGCAGGCAAAUCUCUGUU AACAGAGAUUUGCCUGCUU  685  686 400-418AGCAGGCAAAUCUCUGUUG CAACAGAGAUUUGCCUGCU  687  688 401-419GCAGGCAAAUCUCUGUUGU ACAACAGAGAUUUGCCUGC  689  690 402-420CAGGCAAAUCUCUGUUGUU AACAACAGAGAUUUGCCUG  691  692 403-421AGGCAAAUCUCUGUUGUUC GAACAACAGAGAUUUGCCU  693  694 405-423GCAAAUCUCUGUUGUUCUA UAGAACAACAGAGAUUUGC  695  696 406-424CAAAUCUCUGUUGUUCUAU AUAGAACAACAGAGAUUUG  697  698 407-425AAAUCUCUGUUGUUCUAUG CAUAGAACAACAGAGAUUU  699  700 408-426AAUCUCUGUUGUUCUAUGC GCAUAGAACAACAGAGAUU  701  702 409-427AUCUCUGUUGUUCUAUGCC GGCAUAGAACAACAGAGAU  703  704 410-428UCUCUGUUGUUCUAUGCCC GGGCAUAGAACAACAGAGA  705  706 411-429CUCUGUUGUUCUAUGCCCA UGGGCAUAGAACAACAGAG  707  708 412-430UCUGUUGUUCUAUGCCCAA UUGGGCAUAGAACAACAGA  709  710 413-431CUGUUGUUCUAUGCCCAAA UUUGGGCAUAGAACAACAG  711  712 414-432UGUUGUUCUAUGCCCAAAA UUUUGGGCAUAGAACAACA  713  714 415-433GUUGUUCUAUGCCCAAAAC GUUUUGGGCAUAGAACAAC  715  716 416-434UUGUUCUAUGCCCAAAACU AGUUUUGGGCAUAGAACAA  717  718 417-435UGUUCUAUGCCCAAAACUG CAGUUUUGGGCAUAGAACA  719  720 418-436GUUCUAUGCCCAAAACUGC GCAGUUUUGGGCAUAGAAC  721  722 419-437UUCUAUGCCCAAAACUGCC GGCAGUUUUGGGCAUAGAA  723  724 420-438UCUAUGCCCAAAACUGCCC GGGCAGUUUUGGGCAUAGA  725  726 421-439CUAUGCCCAAAACUGCCCC GGGGCAGUUUUGGGCAUAG  727  728 422-440UAUGCCCAAAACUGCCCCA UGGGGCAGUUUUGGGCAUA  729  730 423-441AUGCCCAAAACUGCCCCAA UUGGGGCAGUUUUGGGCAU  731  732 424-442UGCCCAAAACUGCCCCAAG CUUGGGGCAGUUUUGGGCA  733  734 425-443GCCCAAAACUGCCCCAAGA UCUUGGGGCAGUUUUGGGC  735  736 426-444CCCAAAACUGCCCCAAGAU AUCUUGGGGCAGUUUUGGG  737  738 427-445CCAAAACUGCCCCAAGAUG CAUCUUGGGGCAGUUUUGG  739  740 429-447AAAACUGCCCCAAGAUGAU AUCAUCUUGGGGCAGUUUU  741  742 430-448AAACUGCCCCAAGAUGAUG CAUCAUCUUGGGGCAGUUU  743  744 431-449AACUGCCCCAAGAUGAUGG CCAUCAUCUUGGGGCAGUU  745  746 432-450ACUGCCCCAAGAUGAUGGA UCCAUCAUCUUGGGGCAGU  747  748 433-451CUGCCCCAAGAUGAUGGAA UUCCAUCAUCUUGGGGCAG  749  750 434-452UGCCCCAAGAUGAUGGAAG CUUCCAUCAUCUUGGGGCA  751  752 435-453GCCCCAAGAUGAUGGAAGU ACUUCCAUCAUCUUGGGGC  753  754 437-455CCCAAGAUGAUGGAAGUUG CAACUUCCAUCAUCUUGGG  755  756 438-456CCAAGAUGAUGGAAGUUGG CCAACUUCCAUCAUCUUGG  757  758 439-457CAAGAUGAUGGAAGUUGGG CCCAACUUCCAUCAUCUUG  759  760 440-458AAGAUGAUGGAAGUUGGGG CCCCAACUUCCAUCAUCUU  761  762 441-459AGAUGAUGGAAGUUGGGGC GCCCCAACUUCCAUCAUCU  763  764 442-460GAUGAUGGAAGUUGGGGCC GGCCCCAACUUCCAUCAUC  765  766 443-461AUGAUGGAAGUUGGGGCCA UGGCCCCAACUUCCAUCAU  767  768 444-462UGAUGGAAGUUGGGGCCAA UUGGCCCCAACUUCCAUCA  769  770 445-463GAUGGAAGUUGGGGCCAAG CUUGGCCCCAACUUCCAUC  771  772 446-464AUGGAAGUUGGGGCCAAGC GCUUGGCCCCAACUUCCAU  773  774 447-465UGGAAGUUGGGGCCAAGCC GGCUUGGCCCCAACUUCCA  775  776 448-466GGAAGUUGGGGCCAAGCCA UGGCUUGGCCCCAACUUCC  777  778 449-467GAAGUUGGGGCCAAGCCAG CUGGCUUGGCCCCAACUUC  779  780 450-468AAGUUGGGGCCAAGCCAGC GCUGGCUUGGCCCCAACUU  781  782 451-469AGUUGGGGCCAAGCCAGCC GGCUGGCUUGGCCCCAACU  783  784 452-470GUUGGGGCCAAGCCAGCCC GGGCUGGCUUGGCCCCAAC  785  786 453-471UUGGGGCCAAGCCAGCCCC GGGGCUGGCUUGGCCCCAA  787  788 454-472UGGGGCCAAGCCAGCCCCU AGGGGCUGGCUUGGCCCCA  789  790 455-473GGGGCCAAGCCAGCCCCUC GAGGGGCUGGCUUGGCCCC  791  792 456-474GGGCCAAGCCAGCCCCUCG CGAGGGGCUGGCUUGGCCC  793  794 457-475GGCCAAGCCAGCCCCUCGG CCGAGGGGCUGGCUUGGCC  795  796 458-476GCCAAGCCAGCCCCUCGGG CCCGAGGGGCUGGCUUGGC  797  798 459-477CCAAGCCAGCCCCUCGGGC GCCCGAGGGGCUGGCUUGG  799  800 460-478CAAGCCAGCCCCUCGGGCA UGCCCGAGGGGCUGGCUUG  801  802 461-479AAGCCAGCCCCUCGGGCAU AUGCCCGAGGGGCUGGCUU  803  804 462-480AGCCAGCCCCUCGGGCAUU AAUGCCCGAGGGGCUGGCU  805  806 463-481GCCAGCCCCUCGGGCAUUG CAAUGCCCGAGGGGCUGGC  807  808 464-482CCAGCCCCUCGGGCAUUGU ACAAUGCCCGAGGGGCUGG  809  810 465-483CAGCCCCUCGGGCAUUGUC GACAAUGCCCGAGGGGCUG  811  812 466-484AGCCCCUCGGGCAUUGUCC GGACAAUGCCCGAGGGGCU  813  814 467-485GCCCCUCGGGCAUUGUCCA UGGACAAUGCCCGAGGGGC  815  816 468-486CCCCUCGGGCAUUGUCCAC GUGGACAAUGCCCGAGGGG  817  818 469-487CCCUCGGGCAUUGUCCACU AGUGGACAAUGCCCGAGGG  819  820 470-488CCUCGGGCAUUGUCCACUG CAGUGGACAAUGCCCGAGG  821  822 471-489CUCGGGCAUUGUCCACUGC GCAGUGGACAAUGCCCGAG  823  824 472-490UCGGGCAUUGUCCACUGCA UGCAGUGGACAAUGCCCGA  825  826 473-491CGGGCAUUGUCCACUGCAG CUGCAGUGGACAAUGCCCG  827  828 474-492GGGCAUUGUCCACUGCAGC GCUGCAGUGGACAAUGCCC  829  830 475-493GGCAUUGUCCACUGCAGCA UGCUGCAGUGGACAAUGCC  831  832 476-494GCAUUGUCCACUGCAGCAG CUGCUGCAGUGGACAAUGC  833  834 477-495CAUUGUCCACUGCAGCAGU ACUGCUGCAGUGGACAAUG  835  836 478-496AUUGUCCACUGCAGCAGUA UACUGCUGCAGUGGACAAU  837  838 479-497UUGUCCACUGCAGCAGUAC GUACUGCUGCAGUGGACAA  839  840 480-498UGUCCACUGCAGCAGUACA UGUACUGCUGCAGUGGACA  841  842 481-499GUCCACUGCAGCAGUACAC GUGUACUGCUGCAGUGGAC  843  844 482-500UCCACUGCAGCAGUACACU AGUGUACUGCUGCAGUGGA  845  846 483-501CCACUGCAGCAGUACACUA UAGUGUACUGCUGCAGUGG  847  848 484-502CACUGCAGCAGUACACUAC GUAGUGUACUGCUGCAGUG  849  850 485-503ACUGCAGCAGUACACUACC GGUAGUGUACUGCUGCAGU  851  852 486-504CUGCAGCAGUACACUACCA UGGUAGUGUACUGCUGCAG  853  854 487-505UGCAGCAGUACACUACCAA UUGGUAGUGUACUGCUGCA  855  856 488-506GCAGCAGUACACUACCAAC GUUGGUAGUGUACUGCUGC  857  858 490-508AGCAGUACACUACCAACAG CUGUUGGUAGUGUACUGCU  859  860 491-509GCAGUACACUACCAACAGA UCUGUUGGUAGUGUACUGC  861  862 492-510CAGUACACUACCAACAGAU AUCUGUUGGUAGUGUACUG  863  864 493-511AGUACACUACCAACAGAUC GAUCUGUUGGUAGUGUACU  865  866 494-512GUACACUACCAACAGAUCA UGAUCUGUUGGUAGUGUAC  867  868 495-513UACACUACCAACAGAUCAA UUGAUCUGUUGGUAGUGUA  869  870 496-514ACACUACCAACAGAUCAAA UUUGAUCUGUUGGUAGUGU  871  872 497-515CACUACCAACAGAUCAAAG CUUUGAUCUGUUGGUAGUG  873  874 498-516ACUACCAACAGAUCAAAGA UCUUUGAUCUGUUGGUAGU  875  876 499-517CUACCAACAGAUCAAAGAA UUCUUUGAUCUGUUGGUAG  877  878 500-518UACCAACAGAUCAAAGAAA UUUCUUUGAUCUGUUGGUA  879  880 501-519ACCAACAGAUCAAAGAAAC GUUUCUUUGAUCUGUUGGU  881  882 502-520CCAACAGAUCAAAGAAACC GGUUUCUUUGAUCUGUUGG  883  884 523-541UCCGGCCAGUGAGAAAGAC GUCUUUCUCACUGGCCGGA  885  886 524-542CCGGCCAGUGAGAAAGACA UGUCUUUCUCACUGGCCGG  887  888 525-543CGGCCAGUGAGAAAGACAA UUGUCUUUCUCACUGGCCG  889  890 526-544GGCCAGUGAGAAAGACAAA UUUGUCUUUCUCACUGGCC  891  892 527-545GCCAGUGAGAAAGACAAAA UUUUGUCUUUCUCACUGGC  893  894 528-546CCAGUGAGAAAGACAAAAC GUUUUGUCUUUCUCACUGG  895  896 529-547CAGUGAGAAAGACAAAACU AGUUUUGUCUUUCUCACUG  897  898 530-548AGUGAGAAAGACAAAACUG CAGUUUUGUCUUUCUCACU  899  900 531-549GUGAGAAAGACAAAACUGC GCAGUUUUGUCUUUCUCAC  901  902 570-588CUCCUGAUGGAUCCCAGCA UGCUGGGAUCCAUCAGGAG  903  904 571-589UCCUGAUGGAUCCCAGCAG CUGCUGGGAUCCAUCAGGA  905  906 572-590CCUGAUGGAUCCCAGCAGA UCUGCUGGGAUCCAUCAGG  907  908 573-591CUGAUGGAUCCCAGCAGAG CUCUGCUGGGAUCCAUCAG  909  910 574-592UGAUGGAUCCCAGCAGAGU ACUCUGCUGGGAUCCAUCA  911  912 575-593GAUGGAUCCCAGCAGAGUC GACUCUGCUGGGAUCCAUC  913  914 576-594AUGGAUCCCAGCAGAGUCC GGACUCUGCUGGGAUCCAU  915  916 577-595UGGAUCCCAGCAGAGUCCA UGGACUCUGCUGGGAUCCA  917  918 578-596GGAUCCCAGCAGAGUCCAG CUGGACUCUGCUGGGAUCC  919  920 579-597GAUCCCAGCAGAGUCCAGA UCUGGACUCUGCUGGGAUC  921  922 580-598AUCCCAGCAGAGUCCAGAU AUCUGGACUCUGCUGGGAU  923  924 581-599UCCCAGCAGAGUCCAGAUG CAUCUGGACUCUGCUGGGA  925  926 582-600CCCAGCAGAGUCCAGAUGG CCAUCUGGACUCUGCUGGG  927  928 583-601CCAGCAGAGUCCAGAUGGC GCCAUCUGGACUCUGCUGG  929  930 584-602CAGCAGAGUCCAGAUGGCA UGCCAUCUGGACUCUGCUG  931  932 585-603AGCAGAGUCCAGAUGGCAC GUGCCAUCUGGACUCUGCU  933  934 586-604GCAGAGUCCAGAUGGCACA UGUGCCAUCUGGACUCUGC  935  936 587-605CAGAGUCCAGAUGGCACAC GUGUGCCAUCUGGACUCUG  937  938 588-606AGAGUCCAGAUGGCACACA UGUGUGCCAUCUGGACUCU  939  940 589-607GAGUCCAGAUGGCACACAG CUGUGUGCCAUCUGGACUC  941  942 590-608AGUCCAGAUGGCACACAGC GCUGUGUGCCAUCUGGACU  943  944 591-609GUCCAGAUGGCACACAGCU AGCUGUGUGCCAUCUGGAC  945  946 592-610UCCAGAUGGCACACAGCUU AAGCUGUGUGCCAUCUGGA  947  948 593-611CCAGAUGGCACACAGCUUC GAAGCUGUGUGCCAUCUGG  949  950 594-612CAGAUGGCACACAGCUUCC GGAAGCUGUGUGCCAUCUG  951  952 595-613AGAUGGCACACAGCUUCCG CGGAAGCUGUGUGCCAUCU  953  954 596-614GAUGGCACACAGCUUCCGU ACGGAAGCUGUGUGCCAUC  955  956 597-615AUGGCACACAGCUUCCGUC GACGGAAGCUGUGUGCCAU  957  958 598-616UGGCACACAGCUUCCGUCU AGACGGAAGCUGUGUGCCA  959  960 599-617GGCACACAGCUUCCGUCUG CAGACGGAAGCUGUGUGCC  961  962 600-618GCACACAGCUUCCGUCUGG CCAGACGGAAGCUGUGUGC  963  964 601-619CACACAGCUUCCGUCUGGA UCCAGACGGAAGCUGUGUG  965  966 602-620ACACAGCUUCCGUCUGGAC GUCCAGACGGAAGCUGUGU  967  968 603-621CACAGCUUCCGUCUGGACA UGUCCAGACGGAAGCUGUG  969  970 604-622ACAGCUUCCGUCUGGACAC GUGUCCAGACGGAAGCUGU  971  972 605-623CAGCUUCCGUCUGGACACC GGUGUCCAGACGGAAGCUG  973  974 606-624AGCUUCCGUCUGGACACCC GGGUGUCCAGACGGAAGCU  975  976 607-625GCUUCCGUCUGGACACCCC GGGGUGUCCAGACGGAAGC  977  978 608-626CUUCCGUCUGGACACCCCU AGGGGUGUCCAGACGGAAG  979  980 609-627UUCCGUCUGGACACCCCUU AAGGGGUGUCCAGACGGAA  981  982 610-628UCCGUCUGGACACCCCUUG CAAGGGGUGUCCAGACGGA  983  984 611-629CCGUCUGGACACCCCUUGC GCAAGGGGUGUCCAGACGG  985  986 612-630CGUCUGGACACCCCUUGCC GGCAAGGGGUGUCCAGACG  987  988 613-631GUCUGGACACCCCUUGCCU AGGCAAGGGGUGUCCAGAC  989  990 614-632UCUGGACACCCCUUGCCUG CAGGCAAGGGGUGUCCAGA  991  992 615-633CUGGACACCCCUUGCCUGC GCAGGCAAGGGGUGUCCAG  993  994 616-634UGGACACCCCUUGCCUGCC GGCAGGCAAGGGGUGUCCA  995  996 617-635GGACACCCCUUGCCUGCCA UGGCAGGCAAGGGGUGUCC  997  998 618-636GACACCCCUUGCCUGCCAC GUGGCAGGCAAGGGGUGUC  999 1000 619-637ACACCCCUUGCCUGCCACA UGUGGCAGGCAAGGGGUGU 1001 1002 620-638CACCCCUUGCCUGCCACAA UUGUGGCAGGCAAGGGGUG 1003 1004 621-639ACCCCUUGCCUGCCACAAG CUUGUGGCAGGCAAGGGGU 1005 1006 622-640CCCCUUGCCUGCCACAAGC GCUUGUGGCAGGCAAGGGG 1007 1008 623-641CCCUUGCCUGCCACAAGCC GGCUUGUGGCAGGCAAGGG 1009 1010 624-642CCUUGCCUGCCACAAGCCA UGGCUUGUGGCAGGCAAGG 1011 1012 625-643CUUGCCUGCCACAAGCCAG CUGGCUUGUGGCAGGCAAG 1013 1014 626-644UUGCCUGCCACAAGCCAGG CCUGGCUUGUGGCAGGCAA 1015 1016 627-645UGCCUGCCACAAGCCAGGG CCCUGGCUUGUGGCAGGCA 1017 1018 628-646GCCUGCCACAAGCCAGGGC GCCCUGGCUUGUGGCAGGC 1019 1020 629-647CCUGCCACAAGCCAGGGCA UGCCCUGGCUUGUGGCAGG 1021 1022 630-648CUGCCACAAGCCAGGGCAC GUGCCCUGGCUUGUGGCAG 1023 1024 631-649UGCCACAAGCCAGGGCACU AGUGCCCUGGCUUGUGGCA 1025 1026 632-650GCCACAAGCCAGGGCACUG CAGUGCCCUGGCUUGUGGC 1027 1028 633-651CCACAAGCCAGGGCACUGC GCAGUGCCCUGGCUUGUGG 1029 1030 634-652CACAAGCCAGGGCACUGCA UGCAGUGCCCUGGCUUGUG 1031 1032 635-653ACAAGCCAGGGCACUGCAA UUGCAGUGCCCUGGCUUGU 1033 1034 636-654CAAGCCAGGGCACUGCAAG CUUGCAGUGCCCUGGCUUG 1035 1036 637-655AAGCCAGGGCACUGCAAGC GCUUGCAGUGCCCUGGCUU 1037 1038 638-656AGCCAGGGCACUGCAAGCA UGCUUGCAGUGCCCUGGCU 1039 1040 639-657GCCAGGGCACUGCAAGCAA UUGCUUGCAGUGCCCUGGC 1041 1042 640-658CCAGGGCACUGCAAGCAAA UUUGCUUGCAGUGCCCUGG 1043 1044 641-659CAGGGCACUGCAAGCAAAU AUUUGCUUGCAGUGCCCUG 1045 1046 642-660AGGGCACUGCAAGCAAAUG CAUUUGCUUGCAGUGCCCU 1047 1048 643-661GGGCACUGCAAGCAAAUGC GCAUUUGCUUGCAGUGCCC 1049 1050 644-662GGCACUGCAAGCAAAUGCC GGCAUUUGCUUGCAGUGCC 1051 1052 645-663GCACUGCAAGCAAAUGCCC GGGCAUUUGCUUGCAGUGC 1053 1054 647-665ACUGCAAGCAAAUGCCCUU AAGGGCAUUUGCUUGCAGU 1055 1056 648-666CUGCAAGCAAAUGCCCUUU AAAGGGCAUUUGCUUGCAG 1057 1058 649-667UGCAAGCAAAUGCCCUUUC GAAAGGGCAUUUGCUUGCA 1059 1060 650-668GCAAGCAAAUGCCCUUUCC GGAAAGGGCAUUUGCUUGC 1061 1062 651-669CAAGCAAAUGCCCUUUCCU AGGAAAGGGCAUUUGCUUG 1063 1064 652-670AAGCAAAUGCCCUUUCCUG CAGGAAAGGGCAUUUGCUU 1065 1066 653-671AGCAAAUGCCCUUUCCUGG CCAGGAAAGGGCAUUUGCU 1067 1068 654-672GCAAAUGCCCUUUCCUGGC GCCAGGAAAGGGCAUUUGC 1069 1070 655-673CAAAUGCCCUUUCCUGGCA UGCCAGGAAAGGGCAUUUG 1071 1072 656-674AAAUGCCCUUUCCUGGCAG CUGCCAGGAAAGGGCAUUU 1073 1074 657-675AAUGCCCUUUCCUGGCAGC GCUGCCAGGAAAGGGCAUU 1075 1076 658-676AUGCCCUUUCCUGGCAGCA UGCUGCCAGGAAAGGGCAU 1077 1078 659-677UGCCCUUUCCUGGCAGCAC GUGCUGCCAGGAAAGGGCA 1079 1080 660-678GCCCUUUCCUGGCAGCACA UGUGCUGCCAGGAAAGGGC 1081 1082 661-679CCCUUUCCUGGCAGCACAG CUGUGCUGCCAGGAAAGGG 1083 1084 662-680CCUUUCCUGGCAGCACAGA UCUGUGCUGCCAGGAAAGG 1085 1086 663-681CUUUCCUGGCAGCACAGAU AUCUGUGCUGCCAGGAAAG 1087 1088 664-682UUUCCUGGCAGCACAGAUG CAUCUGUGCUGCCAGGAAA 1089 1090 665-683UUCCUGGCAGCACAGAUGA UCAUCUGUGCUGCCAGGAA 1091 1092 666-684UCCUGGCAGCACAGAUGAA UUCAUCUGUGCUGCCAGGA 1093 1094 667-685CCUGGCAGCACAGAUGAAU AUUCAUCUGUGCUGCCAGG 1095 1096 668-686CUGGCAGCACAGAUGAAUC GAUUCAUCUGUGCUGCCAG 1097 1098 670-688GGCAGCACAGAUGAAUCAG CUGAUUCAUCUGUGCUGCC 1099 1100 672-690CAGCACAGAUGAAUCAGAG CUCUGAUUCAUCUGUGCUG 1101 1102 692-710GGCAGCAGUGUCUUCUGCA UGCAGAAGACACUGCUGCC 1103 1104 693-711GCAGCAGUGUCUUCUGCAA UUGCAGAAGACACUGCUGC 1105 1106 694-712CAGCAGUGUCUUCUGCAAA UUUGCAGAAGACACUGCUG 1107 1108 695-713AGCAGUGUCUUCUGCAAAG CUUUGCAGAAGACACUGCU 1109 1110 696-714GCAGUGUCUUCUGCAAAGC GCUUUGCAGAAGACACUGC 1111 1112 697-715CAGUGUCUUCUGCAAAGCC GGCUUUGCAGAAGACACUG 1113 1114 698-716AGUGUCUUCUGCAAAGCCA UGGCUUUGCAGAAGACACU 1115 1116 699-717GUGUCUUCUGCAAAGCCAG CUGGCUUUGCAGAAGACAC 1117 1118 700-718UGUCUUCUGCAAAGCCAGU ACUGGCUUUGCAGAAGACA 1119 1120 701-719GUCUUCUGCAAAGCCAGUC GACUGGCUUUGCAGAAGAC 1121 1122 702-720UCUUCUGCAAAGCCAGUCU AGACUGGCUUUGCAGAAGA 1123 1124 703-721CUUCUGCAAAGCCAGUCUU AAGACUGGCUUUGCAGAAG 1125 1126 704-722UUCUGCAAAGCCAGUCUUG CAAGACUGGCUUUGCAGAA 1127 1128 705-723UCUGCAAAGCCAGUCUUGA UCAAGACUGGCUUUGCAGA 1129 1130 706-724CUGCAAAGCCAGUCUUGAG CUCAAGACUGGCUUUGCAG 1131 1132 707-725UGCAAAGCCAGUCUUGAGC GCUCAAGACUGGCUUUGCA 1133 1134 708-726GCAAAGCCAGUCUUGAGCU AGCUCAAGACUGGCUUUGC 1135 1136 709-727CAAAGCCAGUCUUGAGCUU AAGCUCAAGACUGGCUUUG 1137 1138 710-728AAAGCCAGUCUUGAGCUUC GAAGCUCAAGACUGGCUUU 1139 1140 711-729AAGCCAGUCUUGAGCUUCA UGAAGCUCAAGACUGGCUU 1141 1142 712-730AGCCAGUCUUGAGCUUCAG CUGAAGCUCAAGACUGGCU 1143 1144 713-731GCCAGUCUUGAGCUUCAGG CCUGAAGCUCAAGACUGGC 1145 1146 714-732CCAGUCUUGAGCUUCAGGA UCCUGAAGCUCAAGACUGG 1147 1148 715-733CAGUCUUGAGCUUCAGGAG CUCCUGAAGCUCAAGACUG 1149 1150 716-734AGUCUUGAGCUUCAGGAGG CCUCCUGAAGCUCAAGACU 1151 1152 717-735GUCUUGAGCUUCAGGAGGA UCCUCCUGAAGCUCAAGAC 1153 1154 718-736UCUUGAGCUUCAGGAGGAU AUCCUCCUGAAGCUCAAGA 1155 1156 719-737CUUGAGCUUCAGGAGGAUG CAUCCUCCUGAAGCUCAAG 1157 1158 720-738UUGAGCUUCAGGAGGAUGU ACAUCCUCCUGAAGCUCAA 1159 1160 721-739UGAGCUUCAGGAGGAUGUG CACAUCCUCCUGAAGCUCA 1161 1162 722-740GAGCUUCAGGAGGAUGUGC GCACAUCCUCCUGAAGCUC 1163 1164 723-741AGCUUCAGGAGGAUGUGCA UGCACAUCCUCCUGAAGCU 1165 1166 724-742GCUUCAGGAGGAUGUGCAG CUGCACAUCCUCCUGAAGC 1167 1168 725-743CUUCAGGAGGAUGUGCAGG CCUGCACAUCCUCCUGAAG 1169 1170 726-744UUCAGGAGGAUGUGCAGGA UCCUGCACAUCCUCCUGAA 1171 1172 727-745UCAGGAGGAUGUGCAGGAA UUCCUGCACAUCCUCCUGA 1173 1174 728-746CAGGAGGAUGUGCAGGAAA UUUCCUGCACAUCCUCCUG 1175 1176 729-747AGGAGGAUGUGCAGGAAAU AUUUCCUGCACAUCCUCCU 1177 1178 730-748GGAGGAUGUGCAGGAAAUG CAUUUCCUGCACAUCCUCC 1179 1180 731-749GAGGAUGUGCAGGAAAUGA UCAUUUCCUGCACAUCCUC 1181 1182 732-750AGGAUGUGCAGGAAAUGAA UUCAUUUCCUGCACAUCCU 1183 1184 733-751GGAUGUGCAGGAAAUGAAU AUUCAUUUCCUGCACAUCC 1185 1186 734-752GAUGUGCAGGAAAUGAAUG CAUUCAUUUCCUGCACAUC 1187 1188 735-753AUGUGCAGGAAAUGAAUGC GCAUUCAUUUCCUGCACAU 1189 1190 755-773GUGAGGAAAGAGGUUGCUG CAGCAACCUCUUUCCUCAC 1191 1192 756-774UGAGGAAAGAGGUUGCUGA UCAGCAACCUCUUUCCUCA 1193 1194 757-775GAGGAAAGAGGUUGCUGAA UUCAGCAACCUCUUUCCUC 1195 1196 758-776AGGAAAGAGGUUGCUGAAA UUUCAGCAACCUCUUUCCU 1197 1198 759-777GGAAAGAGGUUGCUGAAAC GUUUCAGCAACCUCUUUCC 1199 1200 760-778GAAAGAGGUUGCUGAAACC GGUUUCAGCAACCUCUUUC 1201 1202 761-779AAAGAGGUUGCUGAAACCU AGGUUUCAGCAACCUCUUU 1203 1204 762-780AAGAGGUUGCUGAAACCUC GAGGUUUCAGCAACCUCUU 1205 1206 763-781AGAGGUUGCUGAAACCUCA UGAGGUUUCAGCAACCUCU 1207 1208 764-782GAGGUUGCUGAAACCUCAG CUGAGGUUUCAGCAACCUC 1209 1210 765-783AGGUUGCUGAAACCUCAGC GCUGAGGUUUCAGCAACCU 1211 1212 766-784GGUUGCUGAAACCUCAGCA UGCUGAGGUUUCAGCAACC 1213 1214 787-805CCCCAGUGUGGUUAGUGUG CACACUAACCACACUGGGG 1215 1216 791-809AGUGUGGUUAGUGUGAAAA UUUUCACACUAACCACACU 1217 1218 792-810GUGUGGUUAGUGUGAAAAC GUUUUCACACUAACCACAC 1219 1220 812-830GAUGGAGGGGAUCCCAGUG CACUGGGAUCCCCUCCAUC 1221 1222 813-831AUGGAGGGGAUCCCAGUGG CCACUGGGAUCCCCUCCAU 1223 1224 833-851CUGCUGAAGAACUUCCAGG CCUGGAAGUUCUUCAGCAG 1225 1226 834-852UGCUGAAGAACUUCCAGGA UCCUGGAAGUUCUUCAGCA 1227 1228 835-853GCUGAAGAACUUCCAGGAC GUCCUGGAAGUUCUUCAGC 1229 1230 836-854CUGAAGAACUUCCAGGACA UGUCCUGGAAGUUCUUCAG 1231 1232 837-855UGAAGAACUUCCAGGACAU AUGUCCUGGAAGUUCUUCA 1233 1234 838-856GAAGAACUUCCAGGACAUC GAUGUCCUGGAAGUUCUUC 1235 1236 839-857AAGAACUUCCAGGACAUCA UGAUGUCCUGGAAGUUCUU 1237 1238 840-858AGAACUUCCAGGACAUCAU AUGAUGUCCUGGAAGUUCU 1239 1240 841-859GAACUUCCAGGACAUCAUG CAUGAUGUCCUGGAAGUUC 1241 1242 842-860AACUUCCAGGACAUCAUGC GCAUGAUGUCCUGGAAGUU 1243 1244 843-861ACUUCCAGGACAUCAUGCA UGCAUGAUGUCCUGGAAGU 1245 1246 844-862CUUCCAGGACAUCAUGCAA UUGCAUGAUGUCCUGGAAG 1247 1248 845-863UUCCAGGACAUCAUGCAAA UUUGCAUGAUGUCCUGGAA 1249 1250 846-864UCCAGGACAUCAUGCAAAA UUUUGCAUGAUGUCCUGGA 1251 1252 847-865CCAGGACAUCAUGCAAAAG CUUUUGCAUGAUGUCCUGG 1253 1254 848-866CAGGACAUCAUGCAAAAGC GCUUUUGCAUGAUGUCCUG 1255 1256 849-867AGGACAUCAUGCAAAAGCA UGCUUUUGCAUGAUGUCCU 1257 1258 850-868GGACAUCAUGCAAAAGCAA UUGCUUUUGCAUGAUGUCC 1259 1260 851-869GACAUCAUGCAAAAGCAAA UUUGCUUUUGCAUGAUGUC 1261 1262 852-870ACAUCAUGCAAAAGCAAAG CUUUGCUUUUGCAUGAUGU 1263 1264 854-872AUCAUGCAAAAGCAAAGAC GUCUUUGCUUUUGCAUGAU 1265 1266 855-873UCAUGCAAAAGCAAAGACC GGUCUUUGCUUUUGCAUGA 1267 1268 856-874CAUGCAAAAGCAAAGACCA UGGUCUUUGCUUUUGCAUG 1269 1270 857-875AUGCAAAAGCAAAGACCAG CUGGUCUUUGCUUUUGCAU 1271 1272 858-876UGCAAAAGCAAAGACCAGA UCUGGUCUUUGCUUUUGCA 1273 1274 859-877GCAAAAGCAAAGACCAGAA UUCUGGUCUUUGCUUUUGC 1275 1276 860-878CAAAAGCAAAGACCAGAAA UUUCUGGUCUUUGCUUUUG 1277 1278 861-879AAAAGCAAAGACCAGAAAG CUUUCUGGUCUUUGCUUUU 1279 1280 862-880AAAGCAAAGACCAGAAAGA UCUUUCUGGUCUUUGCUUU 1281 1282 863-881AAGCAAAGACCAGAAAGAG CUCUUUCUGGUCUUUGCUU 1283 1284 864-882AGCAAAGACCAGAAAGAGU ACUCUUUCUGGUCUUUGCU 1285 1286 865-883GCAAAGACCAGAAAGAGUG CACUCUUUCUGGUCUUUGC 1287 1288 867-885AAAGACCAGAAAGAGUGUC GACACUCUUUCUGGUCUUU 1289 1290 868-886AAGACCAGAAAGAGUGUCU AGACACUCUUUCUGGUCUU 1291 1292 869-887AGACCAGAAAGAGUGUCUC GAGACACUCUUUCUGGUCU 1293 1294 870-888GACCAGAAAGAGUGUCUCA UGAGACACUCUUUCUGGUC 1295 1296 871-889ACCAGAAAGAGUGUCUCAU AUGAGACACUCUUUCUGGU 1297 1298 872-890CCAGAAAGAGUGUCUCAUC GAUGAGACACUCUUUCUGG 1299 1300 875-893GAAAGAGUGUCUCAUCUUC GAAGAUGAGACACUCUUUC 1301 1302 878-896AGAGUGUCUCAUCUUCUUC GAAGAAGAUGAGACACUCU 1303 1304 879-897GAGUGUCUCAUCUUCUUCA UGAAGAAGAUGAGACACUC 1305 1306 880-898AGUGUCUCAUCUUCUUCAA UUGAAGAAGAUGAGACACU 1307 1308 881-899GUGUCUCAUCUUCUUCAAG CUUGAAGAAGAUGAGACAC 1309 1310 882-900UGUCUCAUCUUCUUCAAGA UCUUGAAGAAGAUGAGACA 1311 1312 883-901GUCUCAUCUUCUUCAAGAU AUCUUGAAGAAGAUGAGAC 1313 1314 884-902UCUCAUCUUCUUCAAGAUA UAUCUUGAAGAAGAUGAGA 1315 1316 886-904UCAUCUUCUUCAAGAUAAC GUUAUCUUGAAGAAGAUGA 1317 1318 887-905CAUCUUCUUCAAGAUAACU AGUUAUCUUGAAGAAGAUG 1319 1320 888-906AUCUUCUUCAAGAUAACUU AAGUUAUCUUGAAGAAGAU 1321 1322 889-907UCUUCUUCAAGAUAACUUG CAAGUUAUCUUGAAGAAGA 1323 1324 890-908CUUCUUCAAGAUAACUUGC GCAAGUUAUCUUGAAGAAG 1325 1326 891-909UUCUUCAAGAUAACUUGCC GGCAAGUUAUCUUGAAGAA 1327 1328 892-910UCUUCAAGAUAACUUGCCA UGGCAAGUUAUCUUGAAGA 1329 1330 893-911CUUCAAGAUAACUUGCCAA UUGGCAAGUUAUCUUGAAG 1331 1332 894-912UUCAAGAUAACUUGCCAAA UUUGGCAAGUUAUCUUGAA 1333 1334 895-913UCAAGAUAACUUGCCAAAA UUUUGGCAAGUUAUCUUGA 1335 1336 896-914CAAGAUAACUUGCCAAAAU AUUUUGGCAAGUUAUCUUG 1337 1338 897-915AAGAUAACUUGCCAAAAUC GAUUUUGGCAAGUUAUCUU 1339 1340 898-916AGAUAACUUGCCAAAAUCU AGAUUUUGGCAAGUUAUCU 1341 1342 899-917GAUAACUUGCCAAAAUCUG CAGAUUUUGGCAAGUUAUC 1343 1344 900-918AUAACUUGCCAAAAUCUGU ACAGAUUUUGGCAAGUUAU 1345 1346 901-919UAACUUGCCAAAAUCUGUU AACAGAUUUUGGCAAGUUA 1347 1348 902-920AACUUGCCAAAAUCUGUUU AAACAGAUUUUGGCAAGUU 1349 1350 903-921ACUUGCCAAAAUCUGUUUC GAAACAGAUUUUGGCAAGU 1351 1352 904-922CUUGCCAAAAUCUGUUUCC GGAAACAGAUUUUGGCAAG 1353 1354 905-923UUGCCAAAAUCUGUUUCCA UGGAAACAGAUUUUGGCAA 1355 1356 906-924UGCCAAAAUCUGUUUCCAC GUGGAAACAGAUUUUGGCA 1357 1358 907-925GCCAAAAUCUGUUUCCACU AGUGGAAACAGAUUUUGGC 1359 1360 908-926CCAAAAUCUGUUUCCACUU AAGUGGAAACAGAUUUUGG 1361 1362 909-927CAAAAUCUGUUUCCACUUU AAAGUGGAAACAGAUUUUG 1363 1364 910-928AAAAUCUGUUUCCACUUUU AAAAGUGGAAACAGAUUUU 1365 1366 911-929AAAUCUGUUUCCACUUUUC GAAAAGUGGAAACAGAUUU 1367 1368 912-930AAUCUGUUUCCACUUUUCA UGAAAAGUGGAAACAGAUU 1369 1370 913-931AUCUGUUUCCACUUUUCAG CUGAAAAGUGGAAACAGAU 1371 1372 916-934UGUUUCCACUUUUCAGUAU AUACUGAAAAGUGGAAACA 1373 1374 917-935GUUUCCACUUUUCAGUAUG CAUACUGAAAAGUGGAAAC 1375 1376 918-936UUUCCACUUUUCAGUAUGA UCAUACUGAAAAGUGGAAA 1377 1378 919-937UUCCACUUUUCAGUAUGAU AUCAUACUGAAAAGUGGAA 1379 1380 920-938UCCACUUUUCAGUAUGAUC GAUCAUACUGAAAAGUGGA 1381 1382 921-939CCACUUUUCAGUAUGAUCG CGAUCAUACUGAAAAGUGG 1383 1384 925-943UUUUCAGUAUGAUCGUUUC GAAACGAUCAUACUGAAAA 1385 1386 929-947CAGUAUGAUCGUUUCUUUG CAAAGAAACGAUCAUACUG 1387 1388 930-948AGUAUGAUCGUUUCUUUGA UCAAAGAAACGAUCAUACU 1389 1390 931-949GUAUGAUCGUUUCUUUGAG CUCAAAGAAACGAUCAUAC 1391 1392 933-951AUGAUCGUUUCUUUGAGAA UUCUCAAAGAAACGAUCAU 1393 1394 934-952UGAUCGUUUCUUUGAGAAA UUUCUCAAAGAAACGAUCA 1395 1396 936-954AUCGUUUCUUUGAGAAAAA UUUUUCUCAAAGAAACGAU 1397 1398 937-955UCGUUUCUUUGAGAAAAAA UUUUUUCUCAAAGAAACGA 1399 1400 938-956CGUUUCUUUGAGAAAAAAA UUUUUUUCUCAAAGAAACG 1401 1402 939-957GUUUCUUUGAGAAAAAAAU AUUUUUUUCUCAAAGAAAC 1403 1404 940-958UUUCUUUGAGAAAAAAAUU AAUUUUUUUCUCAAAGAAA 1405 1406 941-959UUCUUUGAGAAAAAAAUUG CAAUUUUUUUCUCAAAGAA 1407 1408 942-960UCUUUGAGAAAAAAAUUGA UCAAUUUUUUUCUCAAAGA 1409 1410 943-961CUUUGAGAAAAAAAUUGAU AUCAAUUUUUUUCUCAAAG 1411 1412 944-962UUUGAGAAAAAAAUUGAUG CAUCAAUUUUUUUCUCAAA 1413 1414 945-963UUGAGAAAAAAAUUGAUGA UCAUCAAUUUUUUUCUCAA 1415 1416 946-964UGAGAAAAAAAUUGAUGAG CUCAUCAAUUUUUUUCUCA 1417 1418 947-965GAGAAAAAAAUUGAUGAGA UCUCAUCAAUUUUUUUCUC 1419 1420 948-966AGAAAAAAAUUGAUGAGAA UUCUCAUCAAUUUUUUUCU 1421 1422 949-967GAAAAAAAUUGAUGAGAAA UUUCUCAUCAAUUUUUUUC 1423 1424 950-968AAAAAAAUUGAUGAGAAAA UUUUCUCAUCAAUUUUUUU 1425 1426 951-969AAAAAAUUGAUGAGAAAAA UUUUUCUCAUCAAUUUUUU 1427 1428 952-970AAAAAUUGAUGAGAAAAAG CUUUUUCUCAUCAAUUUUU 1429 1430 953-971AAAAUUGAUGAGAAAAAGA UCUUUUUCUCAUCAAUUUU 1431 1432 954-972AAAUUGAUGAGAAAAAGAA UUCUUUUUCUCAUCAAUUU 1433 1434 955-973AAUUGAUGAGAAAAAGAAU AUUCUUUUUCUCAUCAAUU 1435 1436 956-974AUUGAUGAGAAAAAGAAUG CAUUCUUUUUCUCAUCAAU 1437 1438 957-975UUGAUGAGAAAAAGAAUGA UCAUUCUUUUUCUCAUCAA 1439 1440 958-976UGAUGAGAAAAAGAAUGAC GUCAUUCUUUUUCUCAUCA 1441 1442 959-977GAUGAGAAAAAGAAUGACC GGUCAUUCUUUUUCUCAUC 1443 1444 960-978AUGAGAAAAAGAAUGACCA UGGUCAUUCUUUUUCUCAU 1445 1446 961-979UGAGAAAAAGAAUGACCAC GUGGUCAUUCUUUUUCUCA 1447 1448 962-980GAGAAAAAGAAUGACCACA UGUGGUCAUUCUUUUUCUC 1449 1450 963-981AGAAAAAGAAUGACCACAC GUGUGGUCAUUCUUUUUCU 1451 1452 964-982GAAAAAGAAUGACCACACC GGUGUGGUCAUUCUUUUUC 1453 1454 965-983AAAAAGAAUGACCACACCU AGGUGUGGUCAUUCUUUUU 1455 1456 966-984AAAAGAAUGACCACACCUA UAGGUGUGGUCAUUCUUUU 1457 1458 967-985AAAGAAUGACCACACCUAU AUAGGUGUGGUCAUUCUUU 1459 1460 968-986AAGAAUGACCACACCUAUC GAUAGGUGUGGUCAUUCUU 1461 1462 969-987AGAAUGACCACACCUAUCG CGAUAGGUGUGGUCAUUCU 1463 1464 970-988GAAUGACCACACCUAUCGA UCGAUAGGUGUGGUCAUUC 1465 1466 971-989AAUGACCACACCUAUCGAG CUCGAUAGGUGUGGUCAUU 1467 1468 972-990AUGACCACACCUAUCGAGU ACUCGAUAGGUGUGGUCAU 1469 1470 976-994CCACACCUAUCGAGUUUUU AAAAACUCGAUAGGUGUGG 1471 1472 977-995CACACCUAUCGAGUUUUUA UAAAAACUCGAUAGGUGUG 1473 1474 978-996ACACCUAUCGAGUUUUUAA UUAAAAACUCGAUAGGUGU 1475 1476 979-997CACCUAUCGAGUUUUUAAA UUUAAAAACUCGAUAGGUG 1477 1478 980-998ACCUAUCGAGUUUUUAAAA UUUUAAAAACUCGAUAGGU 1479 1480 981-999CCUAUCGAGUUUUUAAAAC GUUUUAAAAACUCGAUAGG 1481 1482 982-1000CUAUCGAGUUUUUAAAACU AGUUUUAAAAACUCGAUAG 1483 1484 983-1001UAUCGAGUUUUUAAAACUG CAGUUUUAAAAACUCGAUA 1485 1486 984-1002AUCGAGUUUUUAAAACUGU ACAGUUUUAAAAACUCGAU 1487 1488 985-1003UCGAGUUUUUAAAACUGUG CACAGUUUUAAAAACUCGA 1489 1490 986-1004CGAGUUUUUAAAACUGUGA UCACAGUUUUAAAAACUCG 1491 1492 987-1005GAGUUUUUAAAACUGUGAA UUCACAGUUUUAAAAACUC 1493 1494 988-1006AGUUUUUAAAACUGUGAAC GUUCACAGUUUUAAAAACU 1495 1496 989-1007GUUUUUAAAACUGUGAACC GGUUCACAGUUUUAAAAAC 1497 1498 990-1008UUUUUAAAACUGUGAACCG CGGUUCACAGUUUUAAAAA 1499 1500 991-1009UUUUAAAACUGUGAACCGG CCGGUUCACAGUUUUAAAA 1501 1502 992-1010UUUAAAACUGUGAACCGGC GCCGGUUCACAGUUUUAAA 1503 1504 993-1011UUAAAACUGUGAACCGGCG CGCCGGUUCACAGUUUUAA 1505 1506 994-1012UAAAACUGUGAACCGGCGA UCGCCGGUUCACAGUUUUA 1507 1508 995-1013AAAACUGUGAACCGGCGAG CUCGCCGGUUCACAGUUUU 1509 1510 996-1014AAACUGUGAACCGGCGAGC GCUCGCCGGUUCACAGUUU 1511 1512 997-1015AACUGUGAACCGGCGAGCA UGCUCGCCGGUUCACAGUU 1513 1514 998-1016ACUGUGAACCGGCGAGCAC GUGCUCGCCGGUUCACAGU 1515 1516 999-1017CUGUGAACCGGCGAGCACA UGUGCUCGCCGGUUCACAG 1517 1518 1000-1018UGUGAACCGGCGAGCACAC GUGUGCUCGCCGGUUCACA 1519 1520 1001-1019GUGAACCGGCGAGCACACA UGUGUGCUCGCCGGUUCAC 1521 1522 1002-1020UGAACCGGCGAGCACACAU AUGUGUGCUCGCCGGUUCA 1523 1524 1003-1021GAACCGGCGAGCACACAUC GAUGUGUGCUCGCCGGUUC 1525 1526 1004-1022AACCGGCGAGCACACAUCU AGAUGUGUGCUCGCCGGUU 1527 1528 1005-1023ACCGGCGAGCACACAUCUU AAGAUGUGUGCUCGCCGGU 1529 1530 1006-1024CCGGCGAGCACACAUCUUC GAAGAUGUGUGCUCGCCGG 1531 1532 1007-1025CGGCGAGCACACAUCUUCC GGAAGAUGUGUGCUCGCCG 1533 1534 1008-1026GGCGAGCACACAUCUUCCC GGGAAGAUGUGUGCUCGCC 1535 1536 1028-1046AUGGCAGAUGACUAUUCAG CUGAAUAGUCAUCUGCCAU 1537 1538 1030-1048GGCAGAUGACUAUUCAGAC GUCUGAAUAGUCAUCUGCC 1539 1540 1031-1049GCAGAUGACUAUUCAGACU AGUCUGAAUAGUCAUCUGC 1541 1542 1032-1050CAGAUGACUAUUCAGACUC GAGUCUGAAUAGUCAUCUG 1543 1544 1033-1051AGAUGACUAUUCAGACUCC GGAGUCUGAAUAGUCAUCU 1545 1546 1034-1052GAUGACUAUUCAGACUCCC GGGAGUCUGAAUAGUCAUC 1547 1548 1035-1053AUGACUAUUCAGACUCCCU AGGGAGUCUGAAUAGUCAU 1549 1550 1036-1054UGACUAUUCAGACUCCCUC GAGGGAGUCUGAAUAGUCA 1551 1552 1037-1055GACUAUUCAGACUCCCUCA UGAGGGAGUCUGAAUAGUC 1553 1554 1038-1056ACUAUUCAGACUCCCUCAU AUGAGGGAGUCUGAAUAGU 1555 1556 1039-1057CUAUUCAGACUCCCUCAUC GAUGAGGGAGUCUGAAUAG 1557 1558 1040-1058UAUUCAGACUCCCUCAUCA UGAUGAGGGAGUCUGAAUA 1559 1560 1041-1059AUUCAGACUCCCUCAUCAC GUGAUGAGGGAGUCUGAAU 1561 1562 1042-1060UUCAGACUCCCUCAUCACC GGUGAUGAGGGAGUCUGAA 1563 1564 1043-1061UCAGACUCCCUCAUCACCA UGGUGAUGAGGGAGUCUGA 1565 1566 1044-1062CAGACUCCCUCAUCACCAA UUGGUGAUGAGGGAGUCUG 1567 1568 1045-1063AGACUCCCUCAUCACCAAA UUUGGUGAUGAGGGAGUCU 1569 1570 1046-1064GACUCCCUCAUCACCAAAA UUUUGGUGAUGAGGGAGUC 1571 1572 1047-1065ACUCCCUCAUCACCAAAAA UUUUUGGUGAUGAGGGAGU 1573 1574 1048-1066CUCCCUCAUCACCAAAAAG CUUUUUGGUGAUGAGGGAG 1575 1576 1049-1067UCCCUCAUCACCAAAAAGC GCUUUUUGGUGAUGAGGGA 1577 1578 1050-1068CCCUCAUCACCAAAAAGCA UGCUUUUUGGUGAUGAGGG 1579 1580 1070-1088GUGUCAGUCUGGUGCAGUA UACUGCACCAGACUGACAC 1581 1582 1071-1089UGUCAGUCUGGUGCAGUAA UUACUGCACCAGACUGACA 1583 1584 1072-1090GUCAGUCUGGUGCAGUAAU AUUACUGCACCAGACUGAC 1585 1586 1073-1091UCAGUCUGGUGCAGUAAUG CAUUACUGCACCAGACUGA 1587 1588 1074-1092CAGUCUGGUGCAGUAAUGA UCAUUACUGCACCAGACUG 1589 1590 1075-1093AGUCUGGUGCAGUAAUGAC GUCAUUACUGCACCAGACU 1591 1592 1078-1096CUGGUGCAGUAAUGACUAC GUAGUCAUUACUGCACCAG 1593 1594 1079-1097UGGUGCAGUAAUGACUACC GGUAGUCAUUACUGCACCA 1595 1596 1081-1099GUGCAGUAAUGACUACCUA UAGGUAGUCAUUACUGCAC 1597 1598 1082-1100UGCAGUAAUGACUACCUAG CUAGGUAGUCAUUACUGCA 1599 1600 1083-1101GCAGUAAUGACUACCUAGG CCUAGGUAGUCAUUACUGC 1601 1602 1084-1102CAGUAAUGACUACCUAGGA UCCUAGGUAGUCAUUACUG 1603 1604 1085-1103AGUAAUGACUACCUAGGAA UUCCUAGGUAGUCAUUACU 1605 1606 1086-1104GUAAUGACUACCUAGGAAU AUUCCUAGGUAGUCAUUAC 1607 1608 1087-1105UAAUGACUACCUAGGAAUG CAUUCCUAGGUAGUCAUUA 1609 1610 1088-1106AAUGACUACCUAGGAAUGA UCAUUCCUAGGUAGUCAUU 1611 1612 1089-1107AUGACUACCUAGGAAUGAG CUCAUUCCUAGGUAGUCAU 1613 1614 1090-1108UGACUACCUAGGAAUGAGU ACUCAUUCCUAGGUAGUCA 1615 1616 1091-1109GACUACCUAGGAAUGAGUC GACUCAUUCCUAGGUAGUC 1617 1618 1092-1110ACUACCUAGGAAUGAGUCG CGACUCAUUCCUAGGUAGU 1619 1620 1093-1111CUACCUAGGAAUGAGUCGC GCGACUCAUUCCUAGGUAG 1621 1622 1094-1112UACCUAGGAAUGAGUCGCC GGCGACUCAUUCCUAGGUA 1623 1624 1095-1113ACCUAGGAAUGAGUCGCCA UGGCGACUCAUUCCUAGGU 1625 1626 1096-1114CCUAGGAAUGAGUCGCCAC GUGGCGACUCAUUCCUAGG 1627 1628 1097-1115CUAGGAAUGAGUCGCCACC GGUGGCGACUCAUUCCUAG 1629 1630 1098-1116UAGGAAUGAGUCGCCACCC GGGUGGCGACUCAUUCCUA 1631 1632 1099-1117AGGAAUGAGUCGCCACCCA UGGGUGGCGACUCAUUCCU 1633 1634 1100-1118GGAAUGAGUCGCCACCCAC GUGGGUGGCGACUCAUUCC 1635 1636 1101-1119GAAUGAGUCGCCACCCACG CGUGGGUGGCGACUCAUUC 1637 1638 1102-1120AAUGAGUCGCCACCCACGG CCGUGGGUGGCGACUCAUU 1639 1640 1103-1121AUGAGUCGCCACCCACGGG CCCGUGGGUGGCGACUCAU 1641 1642 1104-1122UGAGUCGCCACCCACGGGU ACCCGUGGGUGGCGACUCA 1643 1644 1105-1123GAGUCGCCACCCACGGGUG CACCCGUGGGUGGCGACUC 1645 1646 1106-1124AGUCGCCACCCACGGGUGU ACACCCGUGGGUGGCGACU 1647 1648 1107-1125GUCGCCACCCACGGGUGUG CACACCCGUGGGUGGCGAC 1649 1650 1108-1126UCGCCACCCACGGGUGUGU ACACACCCGUGGGUGGCGA 1651 1652 1109-1127CGCCACCCACGGGUGUGUG CACACACCCGUGGGUGGCG 1653 1654 1110-1128GCCACCCACGGGUGUGUGG CCACACACCCGUGGGUGGC 1655 1656 1111-1129CCACCCACGGGUGUGUGGG CCCACACACCCGUGGGUGG 1657 1658 1112-1130CACCCACGGGUGUGUGGGG CCCCACACACCCGUGGGUG 1659 1660 1113-1131ACCCACGGGUGUGUGGGGC GCCCCACACACCCGUGGGU 1661 1662 1114-1132CCCACGGGUGUGUGGGGCA UGCCCCACACACCCGUGGG 1663 1664 1115-1133CCACGGGUGUGUGGGGCAG CUGCCCCACACACCCGUGG 1665 1666 1116-1134CACGGGUGUGUGGGGCAGU ACUGCCCCACACACCCGUG 1667 1668 1117-1135ACGGGUGUGUGGGGCAGUU AACUGCCCCACACACCCGU 1669 1670 1118-1136CGGGUGUGUGGGGCAGUUA UAACUGCCCCACACACCCG 1671 1672 1119-1137GGGUGUGUGGGGCAGUUAU AUAACUGCCCCACACACCC 1673 1674 1120-1138GGUGUGUGGGGCAGUUAUG CAUAACUGCCCCACACACC 1675 1676 1121-1139GUGUGUGGGGCAGUUAUGG CCAUAACUGCCCCACACAC 1677 1678 1122-1140UGUGUGGGGCAGUUAUGGA UCCAUAACUGCCCCACACA 1679 1680 1123-1141GUGUGGGGCAGUUAUGGAC GUCCAUAACUGCCCCACAC 1681 1682 1125-1143GUGGGGCAGUUAUGGACAC GUGUCCAUAACUGCCCCAC 1683 1684 1126-1144UGGGGCAGUUAUGGACACU AGUGUCCAUAACUGCCCCA 1685 1686 1128-1146GGGCAGUUAUGGACACUUU AAAGUGUCCAUAACUGCCC 1687 1688 1129-1147GGCAGUUAUGGACACUUUG CAAAGUGUCCAUAACUGCC 1689 1690 1130-1148GCAGUUAUGGACACUUUGA UCAAAGUGUCCAUAACUGC 1691 1692 1131-1149CAGUUAUGGACACUUUGAA UUCAAAGUGUCCAUAACUG 1693 1694 1132-1150AGUUAUGGACACUUUGAAA UUUCAAAGUGUCCAUAACU 1695 1696 1133-1151GUUAUGGACACUUUGAAAC GUUUCAAAGUGUCCAUAAC 1697 1698 1134-1152UUAUGGACACUUUGAAACA UGUUUCAAAGUGUCCAUAA 1699 1700 1135-1153UAUGGACACUUUGAAACAA UUGUUUCAAAGUGUCCAUA 1701 1702 1136-1154AUGGACACUUUGAAACAAC GUUGUUUCAAAGUGUCCAU 1703 1704 1139-1157GACACUUUGAAACAACAUG CAUGUUGUUUCAAAGUGUC 1705 1706 1140-1158ACACUUUGAAACAACAUGG CCAUGUUGUUUCAAAGUGU 1707 1708 1141-1159CACUUUGAAACAACAUGGU ACCAUGUUGUUUCAAAGUG 1709 1710 1142-1160ACUUUGAAACAACAUGGUG CACCAUGUUGUUUCAAAGU 1711 1712 1143-1161CUUUGAAACAACAUGGUGC GCACCAUGUUGUUUCAAAG 1713 1714 1144-1162UUUGAAACAACAUGGUGCU AGCACCAUGUUGUUUCAAA 1715 1716 1145-1163UUGAAACAACAUGGUGCUG CAGCACCAUGUUGUUUCAA 1717 1718 1146-1164UGAAACAACAUGGUGCUGG CCAGCACCAUGUUGUUUCA 1719 1720 1147-1165GAAACAACAUGGUGCUGGG CCCAGCACCAUGUUGUUUC 1721 1722 1148-1166AAACAACAUGGUGCUGGGG CCCCAGCACCAUGUUGUUU 1723 1724 1149-1167AACAACAUGGUGCUGGGGC GCCCCAGCACCAUGUUGUU 1725 1726 1150-1168ACAACAUGGUGCUGGGGCA UGCCCCAGCACCAUGUUGU 1727 1728 1151-1169CAACAUGGUGCUGGGGCAG CUGCCCCAGCACCAUGUUG 1729 1730 1152-1170AACAUGGUGCUGGGGCAGG CCUGCCCCAGCACCAUGUU 1731 1732 1153-1171ACAUGGUGCUGGGGCAGGU ACCUGCCCCAGCACCAUGU 1733 1734 1154-1172CAUGGUGCUGGGGCAGGUG CACCUGCCCCAGCACCAUG 1735 1736 1155-1173AUGGUGCUGGGGCAGGUGG CCACCUGCCCCAGCACCAU 1737 1738 1156-1174UGGUGCUGGGGCAGGUGGU ACCACCUGCCCCAGCACCA 1739 1740 1157-1175GGUGCUGGGGCAGGUGGUA UACCACCUGCCCCAGCACC 1741 1742 1158-1176GUGCUGGGGCAGGUGGUAC GUACCACCUGCCCCAGCAC 1743 1744 1159-1177UGCUGGGGCAGGUGGUACU AGUACCACCUGCCCCAGCA 1745 1746 1160-1178GCUGGGGCAGGUGGUACUA UAGUACCACCUGCCCCAGC 1747 1748 1161-1179CUGGGGCAGGUGGUACUAG CUAGUACCACCUGCCCCAG 1749 1750 1162-1180UGGGGCAGGUGGUACUAGA UCUAGUACCACCUGCCCCA 1751 1752 1166-1184GCAGGUGGUACUAGAAAUA UAUUUCUAGUACCACCUGC 1753 1754 1167-1185CAGGUGGUACUAGAAAUAU AUAUUUCUAGUACCACCUG 1755 1756 1168-1186AGGUGGUACUAGAAAUAUU AAUAUUUCUAGUACCACCU 1757 1758 1169-1187GGUGGUACUAGAAAUAUUU AAAUAUUUCUAGUACCACC 1759 1760 1170-1188GUGGUACUAGAAAUAUUUC GAAAUAUUUCUAGUACCAC 1761 1762 1171-1189UGGUACUAGAAAUAUUUCU AGAAAUAUUUCUAGUACCA 1763 1764 1172-1190GGUACUAGAAAUAUUUCUG CAGAAAUAUUUCUAGUACC 1765 1766 1173-1191GUACUAGAAAUAUUUCUGG CCAGAAAUAUUUCUAGUAC 1767 1768 1174-1192UACUAGAAAUAUUUCUGGA UCCAGAAAUAUUUCUAGUA 1769 1770 1175-1193ACUAGAAAUAUUUCUGGAA UUCCAGAAAUAUUUCUAGU 1771 1772 1176-1194CUAGAAAUAUUUCUGGAAC GUUCCAGAAAUAUUUCUAG 1773 1774 1177-1195UAGAAAUAUUUCUGGAACU AGUUCCAGAAAUAUUUCUA 1775 1776 1178-1196AGAAAUAUUUCUGGAACUA UAGUUCCAGAAAUAUUUCU 1777 1778 1179-1197GAAAUAUUUCUGGAACUAG CUAGUUCCAGAAAUAUUUC 1779 1780 1180-1198AAAUAUUUCUGGAACUAGU ACUAGUUCCAGAAAUAUUU 1781 1782 1181-1199AAUAUUUCUGGAACUAGUA UACUAGUUCCAGAAAUAUU 1783 1784 1183-1201UAUUUCUGGAACUAGUAAA UUUACUAGUUCCAGAAAUA 1785 1786 1186-1204UUCUGGAACUAGUAAAUUC GAAUUUACUAGUUCCAGAA 1787 1788 1187-1205UCUGGAACUAGUAAAUUCC GGAAUUUACUAGUUCCAGA 1789 1790 1189-1207UGGAACUAGUAAAUUCCAU AUGGAAUUUACUAGUUCCA 1791 1792 1190-1208GGAACUAGUAAAUUCCAUG CAUGGAAUUUACUAGUUCC 1793 1794 1192-1210AACUAGUAAAUUCCAUGUG CACAUGGAAUUUACUAGUU 1795 1796 1193-1211ACUAGUAAAUUCCAUGUGG CCACAUGGAAUUUACUAGU 1797 1798 1194-1212CUAGUAAAUUCCAUGUGGA UCCACAUGGAAUUUACUAG 1799 1800 1195-1213UAGUAAAUUCCAUGUGGAC GUCCACAUGGAAUUUACUA 1801 1802 1196-1214AGUAAAUUCCAUGUGGACU AGUCCACAUGGAAUUUACU 1803 1804 1197-1215GUAAAUUCCAUGUGGACUU AAGUCCACAUGGAAUUUAC 1805 1806 1198-1216UAAAUUCCAUGUGGACUUA UAAGUCCACAUGGAAUUUA 1807 1808 1199-1217AAAUUCCAUGUGGACUUAG CUAAGUCCACAUGGAAUUU 1809 1810 1200-1218AAUUCCAUGUGGACUUAGA UCUAAGUCCACAUGGAAUU 1811 1812 1201-1219AUUCCAUGUGGACUUAGAG CUCUAAGUCCACAUGGAAU 1813 1814 1202-1220UUCCAUGUGGACUUAGAGC GCUCUAAGUCCACAUGGAA 1815 1816 1222-1240GGAGCUGGCAGACCUCCAU AUGGAGGUCUGCCAGCUCC 1817 1818 1223-1241GAGCUGGCAGACCUCCAUG CAUGGAGGUCUGCCAGCUC 1819 1820 1224-1242AGCUGGCAGACCUCCAUGG CCAUGGAGGUCUGCCAGCU 1821 1822 1225-1243GCUGGCAGACCUCCAUGGG CCCAUGGAGGUCUGCCAGC 1823 1824 1226-1244CUGGCAGACCUCCAUGGGA UCCCAUGGAGGUCUGCCAG 1825 1826 1227-1245UGGCAGACCUCCAUGGGAA UUCCCAUGGAGGUCUGCCA 1827 1828 1228-1246GGCAGACCUCCAUGGGAAA UUUCCCAUGGAGGUCUGCC 1829 1830 1229-1247GCAGACCUCCAUGGGAAAG CUUUCCCAUGGAGGUCUGC 1831 1832 1230-1248CAGACCUCCAUGGGAAAGA UCUUUCCCAUGGAGGUCUG 1833 1834 1231-1249AGACCUCCAUGGGAAAGAU AUCUUUCCCAUGGAGGUCU 1835 1836 1232-1250GACCUCCAUGGGAAAGAUG CAUCUUUCCCAUGGAGGUC 1837 1838 1233-1251ACCUCCAUGGGAAAGAUGC GCAUCUUUCCCAUGGAGGU 1839 1840 1254-1272CACUCUUGUUUUCCUCGUG CACGAGGAAAACAAGAGUG 1841 1842 1255-1273ACUCUUGUUUUCCUCGUGC GCACGAGGAAAACAAGAGU 1843 1844 1256-1274CUCUUGUUUUCCUCGUGCU AGCACGAGGAAAACAAGAG 1845 1846 1257-1275UCUUGUUUUCCUCGUGCUU AAGCACGAGGAAAACAAGA 1847 1848 1259-1277UUGUUUUCCUCGUGCUUUG CAAAGCACGAGGAAAACAA 1849 1850 1260-1278UGUUUUCCUCGUGCUUUGU ACAAAGCACGAGGAAAACA 1851 1852 1261-1279GUUUUCCUCGUGCUUUGUG CACAAAGCACGAGGAAAAC 1853 1854 1262-1280UUUUCCUCGUGCUUUGUGG CCACAAAGCACGAGGAAAA 1855 1856 1263-1281UUUCCUCGUGCUUUGUGGC GCCACAAAGCACGAGGAAA 1857 1858 1264-1282UUCCUCGUGCUUUGUGGCC GGCCACAAAGCACGAGGAA 1859 1860 1265-1283UCCUCGUGCUUUGUGGCCA UGGCCACAAAGCACGAGGA 1861 1862 1266-1284CCUCGUGCUUUGUGGCCAA UUGGCCACAAAGCACGAGG 1863 1864 1267-1285CUCGUGCUUUGUGGCCAAU AUUGGCCACAAAGCACGAG 1865 1866 1268-1286UCGUGCUUUGUGGCCAAUG CAUUGGCCACAAAGCACGA 1867 1868 1269-1287CGUGCUUUGUGGCCAAUGA UCAUUGGCCACAAAGCACG 1869 1870 1270-1288GUGCUUUGUGGCCAAUGAC GUCAUUGGCCACAAAGCAC 1871 1872 1271-1289UGCUUUGUGGCCAAUGACU AGUCAUUGGCCACAAAGCA 1873 1874 1272-1290GCUUUGUGGCCAAUGACUC GAGUCAUUGGCCACAAAGC 1875 1876 1273-1291CUUUGUGGCCAAUGACUCA UGAGUCAUUGGCCACAAAG 1877 1878 1274-1292UUUGUGGCCAAUGACUCAA UUGAGUCAUUGGCCACAAA 1879 1880 1275-1293UUGUGGCCAAUGACUCAAC GUUGAGUCAUUGGCCACAA 1881 1882 1276-1294UGUGGCCAAUGACUCAACC GGUUGAGUCAUUGGCCACA 1883 1884 1277-1295GUGGCCAAUGACUCAACCC GGGUUGAGUCAUUGGCCAC 1885 1886 1278-1296UGGCCAAUGACUCAACCCU AGGGUUGAGUCAUUGGCCA 1887 1888 1279-1297GGCCAAUGACUCAACCCUC GAGGGUUGAGUCAUUGGCC 1889 1890 1280-1298GCCAAUGACUCAACCCUCU AGAGGGUUGAGUCAUUGGC 1891 1892 1281-1299CCAAUGACUCAACCCUCUU AAGAGGGUUGAGUCAUUGG 1893 1894 1282-1300CAAUGACUCAACCCUCUUC GAAGAGGGUUGAGUCAUUG 1895 1896 1283-1301AAUGACUCAACCCUCUUCA UGAAGAGGGUUGAGUCAUU 1897 1898 1284-1302AUGACUCAACCCUCUUCAC GUGAAGAGGGUUGAGUCAU 1899 1900 1285-1303UGACUCAACCCUCUUCACC GGUGAAGAGGGUUGAGUCA 1901 1902 1286-1304GACUCAACCCUCUUCACCC GGGUGAAGAGGGUUGAGUC 1903 1904 1287-1305ACUCAACCCUCUUCACCCU AGGGUGAAGAGGGUUGAGU 1905 1906 1288-1306CUCAACCCUCUUCACCCUG CAGGGUGAAGAGGGUUGAG 1907 1908 1289-1307UCAACCCUCUUCACCCUGG CCAGGGUGAAGAGGGUUGA 1909 1910 1290-1308CAACCCUCUUCACCCUGGC GCCAGGGUGAAGAGGGUUG 1911 1912 1291-1309AACCCUCUUCACCCUGGCU AGCCAGGGUGAAGAGGGUU 1913 1914 1292-1310ACCCUCUUCACCCUGGCUA UAGCCAGGGUGAAGAGGGU 1915 1916 1293-1311CCCUCUUCACCCUGGCUAA UUAGCCAGGGUGAAGAGGG 1917 1918 1294-1312CCUCUUCACCCUGGCUAAG CUUAGCCAGGGUGAAGAGG 1919 1920 1297-1315CUUCACCCUGGCUAAGAUG CAUCUUAGCCAGGGUGAAG 1921 1922 1298-1316UUCACCCUGGCUAAGAUGA UCAUCUUAGCCAGGGUGAA 1923 1924 1300-1318CACCCUGGCUAAGAUGAUG CAUCAUCUUAGCCAGGGUG 1925 1926 1301-1319ACCCUGGCUAAGAUGAUGC GCAUCAUCUUAGCCAGGGU 1927 1928 1302-1320CCCUGGCUAAGAUGAUGCC GGCAUCAUCUUAGCCAGGG 1929 1930 1303-1321CCUGGCUAAGAUGAUGCCA UGGCAUCAUCUUAGCCAGG 1931 1932 1304-1322CUGGCUAAGAUGAUGCCAG CUGGCAUCAUCUUAGCCAG 1933 1934 1305-1323UGGCUAAGAUGAUGCCAGG CCUGGCAUCAUCUUAGCCA 1935 1936 1306-1324GGCUAAGAUGAUGCCAGGC GCCUGGCAUCAUCUUAGCC 1937 1938 1307-1325GCUAAGAUGAUGCCAGGCU AGCCUGGCAUCAUCUUAGC 1939 1940 1308-1326CUAAGAUGAUGCCAGGCUG CAGCCUGGCAUCAUCUUAG 1941 1942 1309-1327UAAGAUGAUGCCAGGCUGU ACAGCCUGGCAUCAUCUUA 1943 1944 1310-1328AAGAUGAUGCCAGGCUGUG CACAGCCUGGCAUCAUCUU 1945 1946 1311-1329AGAUGAUGCCAGGCUGUGA UCACAGCCUGGCAUCAUCU 1947 1948 1312-1330GAUGAUGCCAGGCUGUGAG CUCACAGCCUGGCAUCAUC 1949 1950 1313-1331AUGAUGCCAGGCUGUGAGA UCUCACAGCCUGGCAUCAU 1951 1952 1314-1332UGAUGCCAGGCUGUGAGAU AUCUCACAGCCUGGCAUCA 1953 1954 1316-1334AUGCCAGGCUGUGAGAUUU AAAUCUCACAGCCUGGCAU 1955 1956 1317-1335UGCCAGGCUGUGAGAUUUA UAAAUCUCACAGCCUGGCA 1957 1958 1318-1336GCCAGGCUGUGAGAUUUAC GUAAAUCUCACAGCCUGGC 1959 1960 1319-1337CCAGGCUGUGAGAUUUACU AGUAAAUCUCACAGCCUGG 1961 1962 1320-1338CAGGCUGUGAGAUUUACUC GAGUAAAUCUCACAGCCUG 1963 1964 1321-1339AGGCUGUGAGAUUUACUCU AGAGUAAAUCUCACAGCCU 1965 1966 1322-1340GGCUGUGAGAUUUACUCUG CAGAGUAAAUCUCACAGCC 1967 1968 1323-1341GCUGUGAGAUUUACUCUGA UCAGAGUAAAUCUCACAGC 1969 1970 1326-1344GUGAGAUUUACUCUGAUUC GAAUCAGAGUAAAUCUCAC 1971 1972 1327-1345UGAGAUUUACUCUGAUUCU AGAAUCAGAGUAAAUCUCA 1973 1974 1328-1346GAGAUUUACUCUGAUUCUG CAGAAUCAGAGUAAAUCUC 1975 1976 1329-1347AGAUUUACUCUGAUUCUGG CCAGAAUCAGAGUAAAUCU 1977 1978 1330-1348GAUUUACUCUGAUUCUGGG CCCAGAAUCAGAGUAAAUC 1979 1980 1331-1349AUUUACUCUGAUUCUGGGA UCCCAGAAUCAGAGUAAAU 1981 1982 1332-1350UUUACUCUGAUUCUGGGAA UUCCCAGAAUCAGAGUAAA 1983 1984 1333-1351UUACUCUGAUUCUGGGAAC GUUCCCAGAAUCAGAGUAA 1985 1986 1334-1352UACUCUGAUUCUGGGAACC GGUUCCCAGAAUCAGAGUA 1987 1988 1335-1353ACUCUGAUUCUGGGAACCA UGGUUCCCAGAAUCAGAGU 1989 1990 1336-1354CUCUGAUUCUGGGAACCAU AUGGUUCCCAGAAUCAGAG 1991 1992 1337-1355UCUGAUUCUGGGAACCAUG CAUGGUUCCCAGAAUCAGA 1993 1994 1338-1356CUGAUUCUGGGAACCAUGC GCAUGGUUCCCAGAAUCAG 1995 1996 1339-1357UGAUUCUGGGAACCAUGCC GGCAUGGUUCCCAGAAUCA 1997 1998 1340-1358GAUUCUGGGAACCAUGCCU AGGCAUGGUUCCCAGAAUC 1999 2000 1341-1359AUUCUGGGAACCAUGCCUC GAGGCAUGGUUCCCAGAAU 2001 2002 1342-1360UUCUGGGAACCAUGCCUCC GGAGGCAUGGUUCCCAGAA 2003 2004 1343-1361UCUGGGAACCAUGCCUCCA UGGAGGCAUGGUUCCCAGA 2005 2006 1344-1362CUGGGAACCAUGCCUCCAU AUGGAGGCAUGGUUCCCAG 2007 2008 1345-1363UGGGAACCAUGCCUCCAUG CAUGGAGGCAUGGUUCCCA 2009 2010 1346-1364GGGAACCAUGCCUCCAUGA UCAUGGAGGCAUGGUUCCC 2011 2012 1348-1366GAACCAUGCCUCCAUGAUC GAUCAUGGAGGCAUGGUUC 2013 2014 1349-1367AACCAUGCCUCCAUGAUCC GGAUCAUGGAGGCAUGGUU 2015 2016 1350-1368ACCAUGCCUCCAUGAUCCA UGGAUCAUGGAGGCAUGGU 2017 2018 1351-1369CCAUGCCUCCAUGAUCCAA UUGGAUCAUGGAGGCAUGG 2019 2020 1352-1370CAUGCCUCCAUGAUCCAAG CUUGGAUCAUGGAGGCAUG 2021 2022 1353-1371AUGCCUCCAUGAUCCAAGG CCUUGGAUCAUGGAGGCAU 2023 2024 1354-1372UGCCUCCAUGAUCCAAGGG CCCUUGGAUCAUGGAGGCA 2025 2026 1358-1376UCCAUGAUCCAAGGGAUUC GAAUCCCUUGGAUCAUGGA 2027 2028 1359-1377CCAUGAUCCAAGGGAUUCG CGAAUCCCUUGGAUCAUGG 2029 2030 1360-1378CAUGAUCCAAGGGAUUCGA UCGAAUCCCUUGGAUCAUG 2031 2032 1361-1379AUGAUCCAAGGGAUUCGAA UUCGAAUCCCUUGGAUCAU 2033 2034 1362-1380UGAUCCAAGGGAUUCGAAA UUUCGAAUCCCUUGGAUCA 2035 2036 1363-1381GAUCCAAGGGAUUCGAAAC GUUUCGAAUCCCUUGGAUC 2037 2038 1365-1383UCCAAGGGAUUCGAAACAG CUGUUUCGAAUCCCUUGGA 2039 2040 1366-1384CCAAGGGAUUCGAAACAGC GCUGUUUCGAAUCCCUUGG 2041 2042 1367-1385CAAGGGAUUCGAAACAGCC GGCUGUUUCGAAUCCCUUG 2043 2044 1368-1386AAGGGAUUCGAAACAGCCG CGGCUGUUUCGAAUCCCUU 2045 2046 1369-1387AGGGAUUCGAAACAGCCGA UCGGCUGUUUCGAAUCCCU 2047 2048 1370-1388GGGAUUCGAAACAGCCGAG CUCGGCUGUUUCGAAUCCC 2049 2050 1371-1389GGAUUCGAAACAGCCGAGU ACUCGGCUGUUUCGAAUCC 2051 2052 1372-1390GAUUCGAAACAGCCGAGUG CACUCGGCUGUUUCGAAUC 2053 2054 1373-1391AUUCGAAACAGCCGAGUGC GCACUCGGCUGUUUCGAAU 2055 2056 1374-1392UUCGAAACAGCCGAGUGCC GGCACUCGGCUGUUUCGAA 2057 2058 1375-1393UCGAAACAGCCGAGUGCCA UGGCACUCGGCUGUUUCGA 2059 2060 1376-1394CGAAACAGCCGAGUGCCAA UUGGCACUCGGCUGUUUCG 2061 2062 1377-1395GAAACAGCCGAGUGCCAAA UUUGGCACUCGGCUGUUUC 2063 2064 1378-1396AAACAGCCGAGUGCCAAAG CUUUGGCACUCGGCUGUUU 2065 2066 1379-1397AACAGCCGAGUGCCAAAGU ACUUUGGCACUCGGCUGUU 2067 2068 1380-1398ACAGCCGAGUGCCAAAGUA UACUUUGGCACUCGGCUGU 2069 2070 1381-1399CAGCCGAGUGCCAAAGUAC GUACUUUGGCACUCGGCUG 2071 2072 1383-1401GCCGAGUGCCAAAGUACAU AUGUACUUUGGCACUCGGC 2073 2074 1384-1402CCGAGUGCCAAAGUACAUC GAUGUACUUUGGCACUCGG 2075 2076 1385-1403CGAGUGCCAAAGUACAUCU AGAUGUACUUUGGCACUCG 2077 2078 1386-1404GAGUGCCAAAGUACAUCUU AAGAUGUACUUUGGCACUC 2079 2080 1387-1405AGUGCCAAAGUACAUCUUC GAAGAUGUACUUUGGCACU 2081 2082 1388-1406GUGCCAAAGUACAUCUUCC GGAAGAUGUACUUUGGCAC 2083 2084 1389-1407UGCCAAAGUACAUCUUCCG CGGAAGAUGUACUUUGGCA 2085 2086 1390-1408GCCAAAGUACAUCUUCCGC GCGGAAGAUGUACUUUGGC 2087 2088 1391-1409CCAAAGUACAUCUUCCGCC GGCGGAAGAUGUACUUUGG 2089 2090 1392-1410CAAAGUACAUCUUCCGCCA UGGCGGAAGAUGUACUUUG 2091 2092 1393-1411AAAGUACAUCUUCCGCCAC GUGGCGGAAGAUGUACUUU 2093 2094 1394-1412AAGUACAUCUUCCGCCACA UGUGGCGGAAGAUGUACUU 2095 2096 1395-1413AGUACAUCUUCCGCCACAA UUGUGGCGGAAGAUGUACU 2097 2098 1396-1414GUACAUCUUCCGCCACAAU AUUGUGGCGGAAGAUGUAC 2099 2100 1397-1415UACAUCUUCCGCCACAAUG CAUUGUGGCGGAAGAUGUA 2101 2102 1398-1416ACAUCUUCCGCCACAAUGA UCAUUGUGGCGGAAGAUGU 2103 2104 1399-1417CAUCUUCCGCCACAAUGAU AUCAUUGUGGCGGAAGAUG 2105 2106 1400-1418AUCUUCCGCCACAAUGAUG CAUCAUUGUGGCGGAAGAU 2107 2108 1401-1419UCUUCCGCCACAAUGAUGU ACAUCAUUGUGGCGGAAGA 2109 2110 1402-1420CUUCCGCCACAAUGAUGUC GACAUCAUUGUGGCGGAAG 2111 2112 1403-1421UUCCGCCACAAUGAUGUCA UGACAUCAUUGUGGCGGAA 2113 2114 1404-1422UCCGCCACAAUGAUGUCAG CUGACAUCAUUGUGGCGGA 2115 2116 1405-1423CCGCCACAAUGAUGUCAGC GCUGACAUCAUUGUGGCGG 2117 2118 1406-1424CGCCACAAUGAUGUCAGCC GGCUGACAUCAUUGUGGCG 2119 2120 1407-1425GCCACAAUGAUGUCAGCCA UGGCUGACAUCAUUGUGGC 2121 2122 1427-1445CUCAGAGAACUGCUGCAAA UUUGCAGCAGUUCUCUGAG 2123 2124 1428-1446UCAGAGAACUGCUGCAAAG CUUUGCAGCAGUUCUCUGA 2125 2126 1429-1447CAGAGAACUGCUGCAAAGA UCUUUGCAGCAGUUCUCUG 2127 2128 1430-1448AGAGAACUGCUGCAAAGAU AUCUUUGCAGCAGUUCUCU 2129 2130 1431-1449GAGAACUGCUGCAAAGAUC GAUCUUUGCAGCAGUUCUC 2131 2132 1432-1450AGAACUGCUGCAAAGAUCU AGAUCUUUGCAGCAGUUCU 2133 2134 1433-1451GAACUGCUGCAAAGAUCUG CAGAUCUUUGCAGCAGUUC 2135 2136 1434-1452AACUGCUGCAAAGAUCUGA UCAGAUCUUUGCAGCAGUU 2137 2138 1435-1453ACUGCUGCAAAGAUCUGAC GUCAGAUCUUUGCAGCAGU 2139 2140 1436-1454CUGCUGCAAAGAUCUGACC GGUCAGAUCUUUGCAGCAG 2141 2142 1437-1455UGCUGCAAAGAUCUGACCC GGGUCAGAUCUUUGCAGCA 2143 2144 1457-1475UCAGUCCCCAAGAUUGUGG CCACAAUCUUGGGGACUGA 2145 2146 1458-1476CAGUCCCCAAGAUUGUGGC GCCACAAUCUUGGGGACUG 2147 2148 1459-1477AGUCCCCAAGAUUGUGGCA UGCCACAAUCUUGGGGACU 2149 2150 1461-1479UCCCCAAGAUUGUGGCAUU AAUGCCACAAUCUUGGGGA 2151 2152 1462-1480CCCCAAGAUUGUGGCAUUU AAAUGCCACAAUCUUGGGG 2153 2154 1463-1481CCCAAGAUUGUGGCAUUUG CAAAUGCCACAAUCUUGGG 2155 2156 1464-1482CCAAGAUUGUGGCAUUUGA UCAAAUGCCACAAUCUUGG 2157 2158 1465-1483CAAGAUUGUGGCAUUUGAA UUCAAAUGCCACAAUCUUG 2159 2160 1466-1484AAGAUUGUGGCAUUUGAAA UUUCAAAUGCCACAAUCUU 2161 2162 1467-1485AGAUUGUGGCAUUUGAAAC GUUUCAAAUGCCACAAUCU 2163 2164 1468-1486GAUUGUGGCAUUUGAAACU AGUUUCAAAUGCCACAAUC 2165 2166 1469-1487AUUGUGGCAUUUGAAACUG CAGUUUCAAAUGCCACAAU 2167 2168 1470-1488UUGUGGCAUUUGAAACUGU ACAGUUUCAAAUGCCACAA 2169 2170 1471-1489UGUGGCAUUUGAAACUGUC GACAGUUUCAAAUGCCACA 2171 2172 1472-1490GUGGCAUUUGAAACUGUCC GGACAGUUUCAAAUGCCAC 2173 2174 1473-1491UGGCAUUUGAAACUGUCCA UGGACAGUUUCAAAUGCCA 2175 2176 1474-1492GGCAUUUGAAACUGUCCAU AUGGACAGUUUCAAAUGCC 2177 2178 1475-1493GCAUUUGAAACUGUCCAUU AAUGGACAGUUUCAAAUGC 2179 2180 1476-1494CAUUUGAAACUGUCCAUUC GAAUGGACAGUUUCAAAUG 2181 2182 1477-1495AUUUGAAACUGUCCAUUCA UGAAUGGACAGUUUCAAAU 2183 2184 1479-1497UUGAAACUGUCCAUUCAAU AUUGAAUGGACAGUUUCAA 2185 2186 1480-1498UGAAACUGUCCAUUCAAUG CAUUGAAUGGACAGUUUCA 2187 2188 1481-1499GAAACUGUCCAUUCAAUGG CCAUUGAAUGGACAGUUUC 2189 2190 1482-1500AAACUGUCCAUUCAAUGGA UCCAUUGAAUGGACAGUUU 2191 2192 1483-1501AACUGUCCAUUCAAUGGAU AUCCAUUGAAUGGACAGUU 2193 2194 1484-1502ACUGUCCAUUCAAUGGAUG CAUCCAUUGAAUGGACAGU 2195 2196 1485-1503CUGUCCAUUCAAUGGAUGG CCAUCCAUUGAAUGGACAG 2197 2198 1486-1504UGUCCAUUCAAUGGAUGGG CCCAUCCAUUGAAUGGACA 2199 2200 1487-1505GUCCAUUCAAUGGAUGGGG CCCCAUCCAUUGAAUGGAC 2201 2202 1488-1506UCCAUUCAAUGGAUGGGGC GCCCCAUCCAUUGAAUGGA 2203 2204 1508-1526GUGUGCCCACUGGAAGAGC GCUCUUCCAGUGGGCACAC 2205 2206 1509-1527UGUGCCCACUGGAAGAGCU AGCUCUUCCAGUGGGCACA 2207 2208 1510-1528GUGCCCACUGGAAGAGCUG CAGCUCUUCCAGUGGGCAC 2209 2210 1511-1529UGCCCACUGGAAGAGCUGU ACAGCUCUUCCAGUGGGCA 2211 2212 1512-1530GCCCACUGGAAGAGCUGUG CACAGCUCUUCCAGUGGGC 2213 2214 1513-1531CCCACUGGAAGAGCUGUGU ACACAGCUCUUCCAGUGGG 2215 2216 1514-1532CCACUGGAAGAGCUGUGUG CACACAGCUCUUCCAGUGG 2217 2218 1515-1533CACUGGAAGAGCUGUGUGA UCACACAGCUCUUCCAGUG 2219 2220 1516-1534ACUGGAAGAGCUGUGUGAU AUCACACAGCUCUUCCAGU 2221 2222 1517-1535CUGGAAGAGCUGUGUGAUG CAUCACACAGCUCUUCCAG 2223 2224 1518-1536UGGAAGAGCUGUGUGAUGU ACAUCACACAGCUCUUCCA 2225 2226 1519-1537GGAAGAGCUGUGUGAUGUG CACAUCACACAGCUCUUCC 2227 2228 1520-1538GAAGAGCUGUGUGAUGUGG CCACAUCACACAGCUCUUC 2229 2230 1521-1539AAGAGCUGUGUGAUGUGGC GCCACAUCACACAGCUCUU 2231 2232 1522-1540AGAGCUGUGUGAUGUGGCC GGCCACAUCACACAGCUCU 2233 2234 1523-1541GAGCUGUGUGAUGUGGCCC GGGCCACAUCACACAGCUC 2235 2236 1524-1542AGCUGUGUGAUGUGGCCCA UGGGCCACAUCACACAGCU 2237 2238 1525-1543GCUGUGUGAUGUGGCCCAU AUGGGCCACAUCACACAGC 2239 2240 1526-1544CUGUGUGAUGUGGCCCAUG CAUGGGCCACAUCACACAG 2241 2242 1527-1545UGUGUGAUGUGGCCCAUGA UCAUGGGCCACAUCACACA 2243 2244 1528-1546GUGUGAUGUGGCCCAUGAG CUCAUGGGCCACAUCACAC 2245 2246 1529-1547UGUGAUGUGGCCCAUGAGU ACUCAUGGGCCACAUCACA 2247 2248 1532-1550GAUGUGGCCCAUGAGUUUG CAAACUCAUGGGCCACAUC 2249 2250 1533-1551AUGUGGCCCAUGAGUUUGG CCAAACUCAUGGGCCACAU 2251 2252 1534-1552UGUGGCCCAUGAGUUUGGA UCCAAACUCAUGGGCCACA 2253 2254 1535-1553GUGGCCCAUGAGUUUGGAG CUCCAAACUCAUGGGCCAC 2255 2256 1536-1554UGGCCCAUGAGUUUGGAGC GCUCCAAACUCAUGGGCCA 2257 2258 1537-1555GGCCCAUGAGUUUGGAGCA UGCUCCAAACUCAUGGGCC 2259 2260 1538-1556GCCCAUGAGUUUGGAGCAA UUGCUCCAAACUCAUGGGC 2261 2262 1539-1557CCCAUGAGUUUGGAGCAAU AUUGCUCCAAACUCAUGGG 2263 2264 1540-1558CCAUGAGUUUGGAGCAAUC GAUUGCUCCAAACUCAUGG 2265 2266 1542-1560AUGAGUUUGGAGCAAUCAC GUGAUUGCUCCAAACUCAU 2267 2268 1543-1561UGAGUUUGGAGCAAUCACC GGUGAUUGCUCCAAACUCA 2269 2270 1545-1563AGUUUGGAGCAAUCACCUU AAGGUGAUUGCUCCAAACU 2271 2272 1546-1564GUUUGGAGCAAUCACCUUC GAAGGUGAUUGCUCCAAAC 2273 2274 1547-1565UUUGGAGCAAUCACCUUCG CGAAGGUGAUUGCUCCAAA 2275 2276 1548-1566UUGGAGCAAUCACCUUCGU ACGAAGGUGAUUGCUCCAA 2277 2278 1549-1567UGGAGCAAUCACCUUCGUG CACGAAGGUGAUUGCUCCA 2279 2280 1550-1568GGAGCAAUCACCUUCGUGG CCACGAAGGUGAUUGCUCC 2281 2282 1551-1569GAGCAAUCACCUUCGUGGA UCCACGAAGGUGAUUGCUC 2283 2284 1552-1570AGCAAUCACCUUCGUGGAU AUCCACGAAGGUGAUUGCU 2285 2286 1553-1571GCAAUCACCUUCGUGGAUG CAUCCACGAAGGUGAUUGC 2287 2288 1554-1572CAAUCACCUUCGUGGAUGA UCAUCCACGAAGGUGAUUG 2289 2290 1555-1573AAUCACCUUCGUGGAUGAG CUCAUCCACGAAGGUGAUU 2291 2292 1556-1574AUCACCUUCGUGGAUGAGG CCUCAUCCACGAAGGUGAU 2293 2294 1557-1575UCACCUUCGUGGAUGAGGU ACCUCAUCCACGAAGGUGA 2295 2296 1558-1576CACCUUCGUGGAUGAGGUC GACCUCAUCCACGAAGGUG 2297 2298 1559-1577ACCUUCGUGGAUGAGGUCC GGACCUCAUCCACGAAGGU 2299 2300 1560-1578CCUUCGUGGAUGAGGUCCA UGGACCUCAUCCACGAAGG 2301 2302 1561-1579CUUCGUGGAUGAGGUCCAC GUGGACCUCAUCCACGAAG 2303 2304 1562-1580UUCGUGGAUGAGGUCCACG CGUGGACCUCAUCCACGAA 2305 2306 1563-1581UCGUGGAUGAGGUCCACGC GCGUGGACCUCAUCCACGA 2307 2308 1564-1582CGUGGAUGAGGUCCACGCA UGCGUGGACCUCAUCCACG 2309 2310 1565-1583GUGGAUGAGGUCCACGCAG CUGCGUGGACCUCAUCCAC 2311 2312 1566-1584UGGAUGAGGUCCACGCAGU ACUGCGUGGACCUCAUCCA 2313 2314 1567-1585GGAUGAGGUCCACGCAGUG CACUGCGUGGACCUCAUCC 2315 2316 1568-1586GAUGAGGUCCACGCAGUGG CCACUGCGUGGACCUCAUC 2317 2318 1569-1587AUGAGGUCCACGCAGUGGG CCCACUGCGUGGACCUCAU 2319 2320 1570-1588UGAGGUCCACGCAGUGGGG CCCCACUGCGUGGACCUCA 2321 2322 1571-1589GAGGUCCACGCAGUGGGGC GCCCCACUGCGUGGACCUC 2323 2324 1572-1590AGGUCCACGCAGUGGGGCU AGCCCCACUGCGUGGACCU 2325 2326 1595-1613GGGGCUCGAGGCGGAGGGA UCCCUCCGCCUCGAGCCCC 2327 2328 1596-1614GGGCUCGAGGCGGAGGGAU AUCCCUCCGCCUCGAGCCC 2329 2330 1597-1615GGCUCGAGGCGGAGGGAUU AAUCCCUCCGCCUCGAGCC 2331 2332 1598-1616GCUCGAGGCGGAGGGAUUG CAAUCCCUCCGCCUCGAGC 2333 2334 1599-1617CUCGAGGCGGAGGGAUUGG CCAAUCCCUCCGCCUCGAG 2335 2336 1600-1618UCGAGGCGGAGGGAUUGGG CCCAAUCCCUCCGCCUCGA 2337 2338 1601-1619CGAGGCGGAGGGAUUGGGG CCCCAAUCCCUCCGCCUCG 2339 2340 1602-1620GAGGCGGAGGGAUUGGGGA UCCCCAAUCCCUCCGCCUC 2341 2342 1603-1621AGGCGGAGGGAUUGGGGAU AUCCCCAAUCCCUCCGCCU 2343 2344 1604-1622GGCGGAGGGAUUGGGGAUC GAUCCCCAAUCCCUCCGCC 2345 2346 1605-1623GCGGAGGGAUUGGGGAUCG CGAUCCCCAAUCCCUCCGC 2347 2348 1606-1624CGGAGGGAUUGGGGAUCGG CCGAUCCCCAAUCCCUCCG 2349 2350 1607-1625GGAGGGAUUGGGGAUCGGG CCCGAUCCCCAAUCCCUCC 2351 2352 1608-1626GAGGGAUUGGGGAUCGGGA UCCCGAUCCCCAAUCCCUC 2353 2354 1609-1627AGGGAUUGGGGAUCGGGAU AUCCCGAUCCCCAAUCCCU 2355 2356 1610-1628GGGAUUGGGGAUCGGGAUG CAUCCCGAUCCCCAAUCCC 2357 2358 1611-1629GGAUUGGGGAUCGGGAUGG CCAUCCCGAUCCCCAAUCC 2359 2360 1612-1630GAUUGGGGAUCGGGAUGGA UCCAUCCCGAUCCCCAAUC 2361 2362 1613-1631AUUGGGGAUCGGGAUGGAG CUCCAUCCCGAUCCCCAAU 2363 2364 1614-1632UUGGGGAUCGGGAUGGAGU ACUCCAUCCCGAUCCCCAA 2365 2366 1615-1633UGGGGAUCGGGAUGGAGUC GACUCCAUCCCGAUCCCCA 2367 2368 1617-1635GGGAUCGGGAUGGAGUCAU AUGACUCCAUCCCGAUCCC 2369 2370 1618-1636GGAUCGGGAUGGAGUCAUG CAUGACUCCAUCCCGAUCC 2371 2372 1619-1637GAUCGGGAUGGAGUCAUGC GCAUGACUCCAUCCCGAUC 2373 2374 1620-1638AUCGGGAUGGAGUCAUGCC GGCAUGACUCCAUCCCGAU 2375 2376 1621-1639UCGGGAUGGAGUCAUGCCA UGGCAUGACUCCAUCCCGA 2377 2378 1622-1640CGGGAUGGAGUCAUGCCAA UUGGCAUGACUCCAUCCCG 2379 2380 1623-1641GGGAUGGAGUCAUGCCAAA UUUGGCAUGACUCCAUCCC 2381 2382 1624-1642GGAUGGAGUCAUGCCAAAA UUUUGGCAUGACUCCAUCC 2383 2384 1625-1643GAUGGAGUCAUGCCAAAAA UUUUUGGCAUGACUCCAUC 2385 2386 1626-1644AUGGAGUCAUGCCAAAAAU AUUUUUGGCAUGACUCCAU 2387 2388 1627-1645UGGAGUCAUGCCAAAAAUG CAUUUUUGGCAUGACUCCA 2389 2390 1628-1646GGAGUCAUGCCAAAAAUGG CCAUUUUUGGCAUGACUCC 2391 2392 1629-1647GAGUCAUGCCAAAAAUGGA UCCAUUUUUGGCAUGACUC 2393 2394 1630-1648AGUCAUGCCAAAAAUGGAC GUCCAUUUUUGGCAUGACU 2395 2396 1632-1650UCAUGCCAAAAAUGGACAU AUGUCCAUUUUUGGCAUGA 2397 2398 1633-1651CAUGCCAAAAAUGGACAUC GAUGUCCAUUUUUGGCAUG 2399 2400 1636-1654GCCAAAAAUGGACAUCAUU AAUGAUGUCCAUUUUUGGC 2401 2402 1638-1656CAAAAAUGGACAUCAUUUC GAAAUGAUGUCCAUUUUUG 2403 2404 1639-1657AAAAAUGGACAUCAUUUCU AGAAAUGAUGUCCAUUUUU 2405 2406 1640-1658AAAAUGGACAUCAUUUCUG CAGAAAUGAUGUCCAUUUU 2407 2408 1641-1659AAAUGGACAUCAUUUCUGG CCAGAAAUGAUGUCCAUUU 2409 2410 1642-1660AAUGGACAUCAUUUCUGGA UCCAGAAAUGAUGUCCAUU 2411 2412 1643-1661AUGGACAUCAUUUCUGGAA UUCCAGAAAUGAUGUCCAU 2413 2414 1644-1662UGGACAUCAUUUCUGGAAC GUUCCAGAAAUGAUGUCCA 2415 2416 1645-1663GGACAUCAUUUCUGGAACA UGUUCCAGAAAUGAUGUCC 2417 2418 1646-1664GACAUCAUUUCUGGAACAC GUGUUCCAGAAAUGAUGUC 2419 2420 1647-1665ACAUCAUUUCUGGAACACU AGUGUUCCAGAAAUGAUGU 2421 2422 1648-1666CAUCAUUUCUGGAACACUU AAGUGUUCCAGAAAUGAUG 2423 2424 1649-1667AUCAUUUCUGGAACACUUG CAAGUGUUCCAGAAAUGAU 2425 2426 1650-1668UCAUUUCUGGAACACUUGG CCAAGUGUUCCAGAAAUGA 2427 2428 1651-1669CAUUUCUGGAACACUUGGC GCCAAGUGUUCCAGAAAUG 2429 2430 1652-1670AUUUCUGGAACACUUGGCA UGCCAAGUGUUCCAGAAAU 2431 2432 1653-1671UUUCUGGAACACUUGGCAA UUGCCAAGUGUUCCAGAAA 2433 2434 1654-1672UUCUGGAACACUUGGCAAA UUUGCCAAGUGUUCCAGAA 2435 2436 1655-1673UCUGGAACACUUGGCAAAG CUUUGCCAAGUGUUCCAGA 2437 2438 1656-1674CUGGAACACUUGGCAAAGC GCUUUGCCAAGUGUUCCAG 2439 2440 1657-1675UGGAACACUUGGCAAAGCC GGCUUUGCCAAGUGUUCCA 2441 2442 1658-1676GGAACACUUGGCAAAGCCU AGGCUUUGCCAAGUGUUCC 2443 2444 1659-1677GAACACUUGGCAAAGCCUU AAGGCUUUGCCAAGUGUUC 2445 2446 1660-1678AACACUUGGCAAAGCCUUU AAAGGCUUUGCCAAGUGUU 2447 2448 1661-1679ACACUUGGCAAAGCCUUUG CAAAGGCUUUGCCAAGUGU 2449 2450 1662-1680CACUUGGCAAAGCCUUUGG CCAAAGGCUUUGCCAAGUG 2451 2452 1682-1700UGUGUUGGAGGGUACAUCG CGAUGUACCCUCCAACACA 2453 2454 1683-1701GUGUUGGAGGGUACAUCGC GCGAUGUACCCUCCAACAC 2455 2456 1684-1702UGUUGGAGGGUACAUCGCC GGCGAUGUACCCUCCAACA 2457 2458 1685-1703GUUGGAGGGUACAUCGCCA UGGCGAUGUACCCUCCAAC 2459 2460 1686-1704UUGGAGGGUACAUCGCCAG CUGGCGAUGUACCCUCCAA 2461 2462 1687-1705UGGAGGGUACAUCGCCAGC GCUGGCGAUGUACCCUCCA 2463 2464 1688-1706GGAGGGUACAUCGCCAGCA UGCUGGCGAUGUACCCUCC 2465 2466 1689-1707GAGGGUACAUCGCCAGCAC GUGCUGGCGAUGUACCCUC 2467 2468 1690-1708AGGGUACAUCGCCAGCACG CGUGCUGGCGAUGUACCCU 2469 2470 1691-1709GGGUACAUCGCCAGCACGA UCGUGCUGGCGAUGUACCC 2471 2472 1692-1710GGUACAUCGCCAGCACGAG CUCGUGCUGGCGAUGUACC 2473 2474 1693-1711GUACAUCGCCAGCACGAGU ACUCGUGCUGGCGAUGUAC 2475 2476 1694-1712UACAUCGCCAGCACGAGUU AACUCGUGCUGGCGAUGUA 2477 2478 1695-1713ACAUCGCCAGCACGAGUUC GAACUCGUGCUGGCGAUGU 2479 2480 1696-1714CAUCGCCAGCACGAGUUCU AGAACUCGUGCUGGCGAUG 2481 2482 1697-1715AUCGCCAGCACGAGUUCUC GAGAACUCGUGCUGGCGAU 2483 2484 1698-1716UCGCCAGCACGAGUUCUCU AGAGAACUCGUGCUGGCGA 2485 2486 1699-1717CGCCAGCACGAGUUCUCUG CAGAGAACUCGUGCUGGCG 2487 2488 1700-1718GCCAGCACGAGUUCUCUGA UCAGAGAACUCGUGCUGGC 2489 2490 1701-1719CCAGCACGAGUUCUCUGAU AUCAGAGAACUCGUGCUGG 2491 2492 1702-1720CAGCACGAGUUCUCUGAUU AAUCAGAGAACUCGUGCUG 2493 2494 1703-1721AGCACGAGUUCUCUGAUUG CAAUCAGAGAACUCGUGCU 2495 2496 1704-1722GCACGAGUUCUCUGAUUGA UCAAUCAGAGAACUCGUGC 2497 2498 1705-1723CACGAGUUCUCUGAUUGAC GUCAAUCAGAGAACUCGUG 2499 2500 1707-1725CGAGUUCUCUGAUUGACAC GUGUCAAUCAGAGAACUCG 2501 2502 1727-1745GUACGGUCCUAUGCUGCUG CAGCAGCAUAGGACCGUAC 2503 2504 1728-1746UACGGUCCUAUGCUGCUGG CCAGCAGCAUAGGACCGUA 2505 2506 1729-1747ACGGUCCUAUGCUGCUGGC GCCAGCAGCAUAGGACCGU 2507 2508 1730-1748CGGUCCUAUGCUGCUGGCU AGCCAGCAGCAUAGGACCG 2509 2510 1731-1749GGUCCUAUGCUGCUGGCUU AAGCCAGCAGCAUAGGACC 2511 2512 1732-1750GUCCUAUGCUGCUGGCUUC GAAGCCAGCAGCAUAGGAC 2513 2514 1733-1751UCCUAUGCUGCUGGCUUCA UGAAGCCAGCAGCAUAGGA 2515 2516 1734-1752CCUAUGCUGCUGGCUUCAU AUGAAGCCAGCAGCAUAGG 2517 2518 1735-1753CUAUGCUGCUGGCUUCAUC GAUGAAGCCAGCAGCAUAG 2519 2520 1736-1754UAUGCUGCUGGCUUCAUCU AGAUGAAGCCAGCAGCAUA 2521 2522 1737-1755AUGCUGCUGGCUUCAUCUU AAGAUGAAGCCAGCAGCAU 2523 2524 1738-1756UGCUGCUGGCUUCAUCUUC GAAGAUGAAGCCAGCAGCA 2525 2526 1739-1757GCUGCUGGCUUCAUCUUCA UGAAGAUGAAGCCAGCAGC 2527 2528 1740-1758CUGCUGGCUUCAUCUUCAC GUGAAGAUGAAGCCAGCAG 2529 2530 1741-1759UGCUGGCUUCAUCUUCACC GGUGAAGAUGAAGCCAGCA 2531 2532 1742-1760GCUGGCUUCAUCUUCACCA UGGUGAAGAUGAAGCCAGC 2533 2534 1743-1761CUGGCUUCAUCUUCACCAC GUGGUGAAGAUGAAGCCAG 2535 2536 1744-1762UGGCUUCAUCUUCACCACC GGUGGUGAAGAUGAAGCCA 2537 2538 1745-1763GGCUUCAUCUUCACCACCU AGGUGGUGAAGAUGAAGCC 2539 2540 1746-1764GCUUCAUCUUCACCACCUC GAGGUGGUGAAGAUGAAGC 2541 2542 1747-1765CUUCAUCUUCACCACCUCU AGAGGUGGUGAAGAUGAAG 2543 2544 1748-1766UUCAUCUUCACCACCUCUC GAGAGGUGGUGAAGAUGAA 2545 2546 1749-1767UCAUCUUCACCACCUCUCU AGAGAGGUGGUGAAGAUGA 2547 2548 1750-1768CAUCUUCACCACCUCUCUG CAGAGAGGUGGUGAAGAUG 2549 2550 1751-1769AUCUUCACCACCUCUCUGC GCAGAGAGGUGGUGAAGAU 2551 2552 1752-1770UCUUCACCACCUCUCUGCC GGCAGAGAGGUGGUGAAGA 2553 2554 1753-1771CUUCACCACCUCUCUGCCA UGGCAGAGAGGUGGUGAAG 2555 2556 1754-1772UUCACCACCUCUCUGCCAC GUGGCAGAGAGGUGGUGAA 2557 2558 1755-1773UCACCACCUCUCUGCCACC GGUGGCAGAGAGGUGGUGA 2559 2560 1756-1774CACCACCUCUCUGCCACCC GGGUGGCAGAGAGGUGGUG 2561 2562 1757-1775ACCACCUCUCUGCCACCCA UGGGUGGCAGAGAGGUGGU 2563 2564 1758-1776CCACCUCUCUGCCACCCAU AUGGGUGGCAGAGAGGUGG 2565 2566 1759-1777CACCUCUCUGCCACCCAUG CAUGGGUGGCAGAGAGGUG 2567 2568 1760-1778ACCUCUCUGCCACCCAUGC GCAUGGGUGGCAGAGAGGU 2569 2570 1761-1779CCUCUCUGCCACCCAUGCU AGCAUGGGUGGCAGAGAGG 2571 2572 1762-1780CUCUCUGCCACCCAUGCUG CAGCAUGGGUGGCAGAGAG 2573 2574 1763-1781UCUCUGCCACCCAUGCUGC GCAGCAUGGGUGGCAGAGA 2575 2576 1764-1782CUCUGCCACCCAUGCUGCU AGCAGCAUGGGUGGCAGAG 2577 2578 1765-1783UCUGCCACCCAUGCUGCUG CAGCAGCAUGGGUGGCAGA 2579 2580 1766-1784CUGCCACCCAUGCUGCUGG CCAGCAGCAUGGGUGGCAG 2581 2582 1767-1785UGCCACCCAUGCUGCUGGC GCCAGCAGCAUGGGUGGCA 2583 2584 1768-1786GCCACCCAUGCUGCUGGCU AGCCAGCAGCAUGGGUGGC 2585 2586 1769-1787CCACCCAUGCUGCUGGCUG CAGCCAGCAGCAUGGGUGG 2587 2588 1770-1788CACCCAUGCUGCUGGCUGG CCAGCCAGCAGCAUGGGUG 2589 2590 1771-1789ACCCAUGCUGCUGGCUGGA UCCAGCCAGCAGCAUGGGU 2591 2592 1772-1790CCCAUGCUGCUGGCUGGAG CUCCAGCCAGCAGCAUGGG 2593 2594 1773-1791CCAUGCUGCUGGCUGGAGC GCUCCAGCCAGCAGCAUGG 2595 2596 1774-1792CAUGCUGCUGGCUGGAGCC GGCUCCAGCCAGCAGCAUG 2597 2598 1775-1793AUGCUGCUGGCUGGAGCCC GGGCUCCAGCCAGCAGCAU 2599 2600 1776-1794UGCUGCUGGCUGGAGCCCU AGGGCUCCAGCCAGCAGCA 2601 2602 1777-1795GCUGCUGGCUGGAGCCCUG CAGGGCUCCAGCCAGCAGC 2603 2604 1778-1796CUGCUGGCUGGAGCCCUGG CCAGGGCUCCAGCCAGCAG 2605 2606 1779-1797UGCUGGCUGGAGCCCUGGA UCCAGGGCUCCAGCCAGCA 2607 2608 1780-1798GCUGGCUGGAGCCCUGGAG CUCCAGGGCUCCAGCCAGC 2609 2610 1781-1799CUGGCUGGAGCCCUGGAGU ACUCCAGGGCUCCAGCCAG 2611 2612 1782-1800UGGCUGGAGCCCUGGAGUC GACUCCAGGGCUCCAGCCA 2613 2614 1783-1801GGCUGGAGCCCUGGAGUCU AGACUCCAGGGCUCCAGCC 2615 2616 1784-1802GCUGGAGCCCUGGAGUCUG CAGACUCCAGGGCUCCAGC 2617 2618 1785-1803CUGGAGCCCUGGAGUCUGU ACAGACUCCAGGGCUCCAG 2619 2620 1786-1804UGGAGCCCUGGAGUCUGUG CACAGACUCCAGGGCUCCA 2621 2622 1787-1805GGAGCCCUGGAGUCUGUGC GCACAGACUCCAGGGCUCC 2623 2624 1788-1806GAGCCCUGGAGUCUGUGCG CGCACAGACUCCAGGGCUC 2625 2626 1789-1807AGCCCUGGAGUCUGUGCGG CCGCACAGACUCCAGGGCU 2627 2628 1790-1808GCCCUGGAGUCUGUGCGGA UCCGCACAGACUCCAGGGC 2629 2630 1792-1810CCUGGAGUCUGUGCGGAUC GAUCCGCACAGACUCCAGG 2631 2632 1793-1811CUGGAGUCUGUGCGGAUCC GGAUCCGCACAGACUCCAG 2633 2634 1795-1813GGAGUCUGUGCGGAUCCUG CAGGAUCCGCACAGACUCC 2635 2636 1796-1814GAGUCUGUGCGGAUCCUGA UCAGGAUCCGCACAGACUC 2637 2638 1797-1815AGUCUGUGCGGAUCCUGAA UUCAGGAUCCGCACAGACU 2639 2640 1798-1816GUCUGUGCGGAUCCUGAAG CUUCAGGAUCCGCACAGAC 2641 2642 1799-1817UCUGUGCGGAUCCUGAAGA UCUUCAGGAUCCGCACAGA 2643 2644 1800-1818CUGUGCGGAUCCUGAAGAG CUCUUCAGGAUCCGCACAG 2645 2646 1801-1819UGUGCGGAUCCUGAAGAGC GCUCUUCAGGAUCCGCACA 2647 2648 1802-1820GUGCGGAUCCUGAAGAGCG CGCUCUUCAGGAUCCGCAC 2649 2650 1803-1821UGCGGAUCCUGAAGAGCGC GCGCUCUUCAGGAUCCGCA 2651 2652 1804-1822GCGGAUCCUGAAGAGCGCU AGCGCUCUUCAGGAUCCGC 2653 2654 1805-1823CGGAUCCUGAAGAGCGCUG CAGCGCUCUUCAGGAUCCG 2655 2656 1806-1824GGAUCCUGAAGAGCGCUGA UCAGCGCUCUUCAGGAUCC 2657 2658 1807-1825GAUCCUGAAGAGCGCUGAG CUCAGCGCUCUUCAGGAUC 2659 2660 1808-1826AUCCUGAAGAGCGCUGAGG CCUCAGCGCUCUUCAGGAU 2661 2662 1809-1827UCCUGAAGAGCGCUGAGGG CCCUCAGCGCUCUUCAGGA 2663 2664 1810-1828CCUGAAGAGCGCUGAGGGA UCCCUCAGCGCUCUUCAGG 2665 2666 1811-1829CUGAAGAGCGCUGAGGGAC GUCCCUCAGCGCUCUUCAG 2667 2668 1812-1830UGAAGAGCGCUGAGGGACG CGUCCCUCAGCGCUCUUCA 2669 2670 1813-1831GAAGAGCGCUGAGGGACGG CCGUCCCUCAGCGCUCUUC 2671 2672 1814-1832AAGAGCGCUGAGGGACGGG CCCGUCCCUCAGCGCUCUU 2673 2674 1815-1833AGAGCGCUGAGGGACGGGU ACCCGUCCCUCAGCGCUCU 2675 2676 1816-1834GAGCGCUGAGGGACGGGUG CACCCGUCCCUCAGCGCUC 2677 2678 1817-1835AGCGCUGAGGGACGGGUGC GCACCCGUCCCUCAGCGCU 2679 2680 1818-1836GCGCUGAGGGACGGGUGCU AGCACCCGUCCCUCAGCGC 2681 2682 1819-1837CGCUGAGGGACGGGUGCUU AAGCACCCGUCCCUCAGCG 2683 2684 1820-1838GCUGAGGGACGGGUGCUUC GAAGCACCCGUCCCUCAGC 2685 2686 1821-1839CUGAGGGACGGGUGCUUCG CGAAGCACCCGUCCCUCAG 2687 2688 1822-1840UGAGGGACGGGUGCUUCGC GCGAAGCACCCGUCCCUCA 2689 2690 1823-1841GAGGGACGGGUGCUUCGCC GGCGAAGCACCCGUCCCUC 2691 2692 1824-1842AGGGACGGGUGCUUCGCCG CGGCGAAGCACCCGUCCCU 2693 2694 1825-1843GGGACGGGUGCUUCGCCGC GCGGCGAAGCACCCGUCCC 2695 2696 1826-1844GGACGGGUGCUUCGCCGCC GGCGGCGAAGCACCCGUCC 2697 2698 1827-1845GACGGGUGCUUCGCCGCCA UGGCGGCGAAGCACCCGUC 2699 2700 1828-1846ACGGGUGCUUCGCCGCCAG CUGGCGGCGAAGCACCCGU 2701 2702 1829-1847CGGGUGCUUCGCCGCCAGC GCUGGCGGCGAAGCACCCG 2703 2704 1830-1848GGGUGCUUCGCCGCCAGCA UGCUGGCGGCGAAGCACCC 2705 2706 1831-1849GGUGCUUCGCCGCCAGCAC GUGCUGGCGGCGAAGCACC 2707 2708 1832-1850GUGCUUCGCCGCCAGCACC GGUGCUGGCGGCGAAGCAC 2709 2710 1833-1851UGCUUCGCCGCCAGCACCA UGGUGCUGGCGGCGAAGCA 2711 2712 1834-1852GCUUCGCCGCCAGCACCAG CUGGUGCUGGCGGCGAAGC 2713 2714 1835-1853CUUCGCCGCCAGCACCAGC GCUGGUGCUGGCGGCGAAG 2715 2716 1836-1854UUCGCCGCCAGCACCAGCG CGCUGGUGCUGGCGGCGAA 2717 2718 1837-1855UCGCCGCCAGCACCAGCGC GCGCUGGUGCUGGCGGCGA 2719 2720 1838-1856CGCCGCCAGCACCAGCGCA UGCGCUGGUGCUGGCGGCG 2721 2722 1839-1857GCCGCCAGCACCAGCGCAA UUGCGCUGGUGCUGGCGGC 2723 2724 1840-1858CCGCCAGCACCAGCGCAAC GUUGCGCUGGUGCUGGCGG 2725 2726 1841-1859CGCCAGCACCAGCGCAACG CGUUGCGCUGGUGCUGGCG 2727 2728 1842-1860GCCAGCACCAGCGCAACGU ACGUUGCGCUGGUGCUGGC 2729 2730 1865-1883CUCAUGAGACAGAUGCUAA UUAGCAUCUGUCUCAUGAG 2731 2732 1866-1884UCAUGAGACAGAUGCUAAU AUUAGCAUCUGUCUCAUGA 2733 2734 1867-1885CAUGAGACAGAUGCUAAUG CAUUAGCAUCUGUCUCAUG 2735 2736 1868-1886AUGAGACAGAUGCUAAUGG CCAUUAGCAUCUGUCUCAU 2737 2738 1869-1887UGAGACAGAUGCUAAUGGA UCCAUUAGCAUCUGUCUCA 2739 2740 1871-1889AGACAGAUGCUAAUGGAUG CAUCCAUUAGCAUCUGUCU 2741 2742 1872-1890GACAGAUGCUAAUGGAUGC GCAUCCAUUAGCAUCUGUC 2743 2744 1873-1891ACAGAUGCUAAUGGAUGCC GGCAUCCAUUAGCAUCUGU 2745 2746 1874-1892CAGAUGCUAAUGGAUGCCG CGGCAUCCAUUAGCAUCUG 2747 2748 1875-1893AGAUGCUAAUGGAUGCCGG CCGGCAUCCAUUAGCAUCU 2749 2750 1876-1894GAUGCUAAUGGAUGCCGGC GCCGGCAUCCAUUAGCAUC 2751 2752 1877-1895AUGCUAAUGGAUGCCGGCC GGCCGGCAUCCAUUAGCAU 2753 2754 1878-1896UGCUAAUGGAUGCCGGCCU AGGCCGGCAUCCAUUAGCA 2755 2756 1879-1897GCUAAUGGAUGCCGGCCUC GAGGCCGGCAUCCAUUAGC 2757 2758 1880-1898CUAAUGGAUGCCGGCCUCC GGAGGCCGGCAUCCAUUAG 2759 2760 1881-1899UAAUGGAUGCCGGCCUCCC GGGAGGCCGGCAUCCAUUA 2761 2762 1882-1900AAUGGAUGCCGGCCUCCCU AGGGAGGCCGGCAUCCAUU 2763 2764 1883-1901AUGGAUGCCGGCCUCCCUG CAGGGAGGCCGGCAUCCAU 2765 2766 1884-1902UGGAUGCCGGCCUCCCUGU ACAGGGAGGCCGGCAUCCA 2767 2768 1885-1903GGAUGCCGGCCUCCCUGUU AACAGGGAGGCCGGCAUCC 2769 2770 1886-1904GAUGCCGGCCUCCCUGUUG CAACAGGGAGGCCGGCAUC 2771 2772 1887-1905AUGCCGGCCUCCCUGUUGU ACAACAGGGAGGCCGGCAU 2773 2774 1888-1906UGCCGGCCUCCCUGUUGUC GACAACAGGGAGGCCGGCA 2775 2776 1889-1907GCCGGCCUCCCUGUUGUCC GGACAACAGGGAGGCCGGC 2777 2778 1890-1908CCGGCCUCCCUGUUGUCCA UGGACAACAGGGAGGCCGG 2779 2780 1891-1909CGGCCUCCCUGUUGUCCAC GUGGACAACAGGGAGGCCG 2781 2782 1892-1910GGCCUCCCUGUUGUCCACU AGUGGACAACAGGGAGGCC 2783 2784 1893-1911GCCUCCCUGUUGUCCACUG CAGUGGACAACAGGGAGGC 2785 2786 1894-1912CCUCCCUGUUGUCCACUGC GCAGUGGACAACAGGGAGG 2787 2788 1895-1913CUCCCUGUUGUCCACUGCC GGCAGUGGACAACAGGGAG 2789 2790 1896-1914UCCCUGUUGUCCACUGCCC GGGCAGUGGACAACAGGGA 2791 2792 1897-1915CCCUGUUGUCCACUGCCCC GGGGCAGUGGACAACAGGG 2793 2794 1898-1916CCUGUUGUCCACUGCCCCA UGGGGCAGUGGACAACAGG 2795 2796 1899-1917CUGUUGUCCACUGCCCCAG CUGGGGCAGUGGACAACAG 2797 2798 1900-1918UGUUGUCCACUGCCCCAGC GCUGGGGCAGUGGACAACA 2799 2800 1901-1919GUUGUCCACUGCCCCAGCC GGCUGGGGCAGUGGACAAC 2801 2802 1902-1920UUGUCCACUGCCCCAGCCA UGGCUGGGGCAGUGGACAA 2803 2804 1903-1921UGUCCACUGCCCCAGCCAC GUGGCUGGGGCAGUGGACA 2805 2806 1904-1922GUCCACUGCCCCAGCCACA UGUGGCUGGGGCAGUGGAC 2807 2808 1905-1923UCCACUGCCCCAGCCACAU AUGUGGCUGGGGCAGUGGA 2809 2810 1906-1924CCACUGCCCCAGCCACAUC GAUGUGGCUGGGGCAGUGG 2811 2812 1907-1925CACUGCCCCAGCCACAUCA UGAUGUGGCUGGGGCAGUG 2813 2814 1908-1926ACUGCCCCAGCCACAUCAU AUGAUGUGGCUGGGGCAGU 2815 2816 1909-1927CUGCCCCAGCCACAUCAUC GAUGAUGUGGCUGGGGCAG 2817 2818 1910-1928UGCCCCAGCCACAUCAUCC GGAUGAUGUGGCUGGGGCA 2819 2820 1911-1929GCCCCAGCCACAUCAUCCC GGGAUGAUGUGGCUGGGGC 2821 2822 1912-1930CCCCAGCCACAUCAUCCCU AGGGAUGAUGUGGCUGGGG 2823 2824 1913-1931CCCAGCCACAUCAUCCCUG CAGGGAUGAUGUGGCUGGG 2825 2826 1914-1932CCAGCCACAUCAUCCCUGU ACAGGGAUGAUGUGGCUGG 2827 2828 1915-1933CAGCCACAUCAUCCCUGUG CACAGGGAUGAUGUGGCUG 2829 2830 1916-1934AGCCACAUCAUCCCUGUGC GCACAGGGAUGAUGUGGCU 2831 2832 1917-1935GCCACAUCAUCCCUGUGCG CGCACAGGGAUGAUGUGGC 2833 2834 1918-1936CCACAUCAUCCCUGUGCGG CCGCACAGGGAUGAUGUGG 2835 2836 1919-1937CACAUCAUCCCUGUGCGGG CCCGCACAGGGAUGAUGUG 2837 2838 1920-1938ACAUCAUCCCUGUGCGGGU ACCCGCACAGGGAUGAUGU 2839 2840 1922-1940AUCAUCCCUGUGCGGGUUG CAACCCGCACAGGGAUGAU 2841 2842 1923-1941UCAUCCCUGUGCGGGUUGC GCAACCCGCACAGGGAUGA 2843 2844 1924-1942CAUCCCUGUGCGGGUUGCA UGCAACCCGCACAGGGAUG 2845 2846 1925-1943AUCCCUGUGCGGGUUGCAG CUGCAACCCGCACAGGGAU 2847 2848 1926-1944UCCCUGUGCGGGUUGCAGA UCUGCAACCCGCACAGGGA 2849 2850 1928-1946CCUGUGCGGGUUGCAGAUG CAUCUGCAACCCGCACAGG 2851 2852 1929-1947CUGUGCGGGUUGCAGAUGC GCAUCUGCAACCCGCACAG 2853 2854 1930-1948UGUGCGGGUUGCAGAUGCU AGCAUCUGCAACCCGCACA 2855 2856 1931-1949GUGCGGGUUGCAGAUGCUG CAGCAUCUGCAACCCGCAC 2857 2858 1932-1950UGCGGGUUGCAGAUGCUGC GCAGCAUCUGCAACCCGCA 2859 2860 1933-1951GCGGGUUGCAGAUGCUGCU AGCAGCAUCUGCAACCCGC 2861 2862 1934-1952CGGGUUGCAGAUGCUGCUA UAGCAGCAUCUGCAACCCG 2863 2864 1935-1953GGGUUGCAGAUGCUGCUAA UUAGCAGCAUCUGCAACCC 2865 2866 1936-1954GGUUGCAGAUGCUGCUAAA UUUAGCAGCAUCUGCAACC 2867 2868 1937-1955GUUGCAGAUGCUGCUAAAA UUUUAGCAGCAUCUGCAAC 2869 2870 1938-1956UUGCAGAUGCUGCUAAAAA UUUUUAGCAGCAUCUGCAA 2871 2872 1939-1957UGCAGAUGCUGCUAAAAAC GUUUUUAGCAGCAUCUGCA 2873 2874 1940-1958GCAGAUGCUGCUAAAAACA UGUUUUUAGCAGCAUCUGC 2875 2876 1941-1959CAGAUGCUGCUAAAAACAC GUGUUUUUAGCAGCAUCUG 2877 2878 1961-1979GAAGUCUGUGAUGAACUAA UUAGUUCAUCACAGACUUC 2879 2880 1963-1981AGUCUGUGAUGAACUAAUG CAUUAGUUCAUCACAGACU 2881 2882 1965-1983UCUGUGAUGAACUAAUGAG CUCAUUAGUUCAUCACAGA 2883 2884 1966-1984CUGUGAUGAACUAAUGAGC GCUCAUUAGUUCAUCACAG 2885 2886 1968-1986GUGAUGAACUAAUGAGCAG CUGCUCAUUAGUUCAUCAC 2887 2888 1969-1987UGAUGAACUAAUGAGCAGA UCUGCUCAUUAGUUCAUCA 2889 2890 1970-1988GAUGAACUAAUGAGCAGAC GUCUGCUCAUUAGUUCAUC 2891 2892 1971-1989AUGAACUAAUGAGCAGACA UGUCUGCUCAUUAGUUCAU 2893 2894 1972-1990UGAACUAAUGAGCAGACAU AUGUCUGCUCAUUAGUUCA 2895 2896 1973-1991GAACUAAUGAGCAGACAUA UAUGUCUGCUCAUUAGUUC 2897 2898 1974-1992AACUAAUGAGCAGACAUAA UUAUGUCUGCUCAUUAGUU 2899 2900 1975-1993ACUAAUGAGCAGACAUAAC GUUAUGUCUGCUCAUUAGU 2901 2902 1978-1996AAUGAGCAGACAUAACAUC GAUGUUAUGUCUGCUCAUU 2903 2904 1979-1997AUGAGCAGACAUAACAUCU AGAUGUUAUGUCUGCUCAU 2905 2906 1980-1998UGAGCAGACAUAACAUCUA UAGAUGUUAUGUCUGCUCA 2907 2908 2000-2018GUGCAAGCAAUCAAUUACC GGUAAUUGAUUGCUUGCAC 2909 2910 2001-2019UGCAAGCAAUCAAUUACCC GGGUAAUUGAUUGCUUGCA 2911 2912 2002-2020GCAAGCAAUCAAUUACCCU AGGGUAAUUGAUUGCUUGC 2913 2914 2004-2022AAGCAAUCAAUUACCCUAC GUAGGGUAAUUGAUUGCUU 2915 2916 2024-2042GUGCCCCGGGGAGAAGAGC GCUCUUCUCCCCGGGGCAC 2917 2918 2025-2043UGCCCCGGGGAGAAGAGCU AGCUCUUCUCCCCGGGGCA 2919 2920 2026-2044GCCCCGGGGAGAAGAGCUC GAGCUCUUCUCCCCGGGGC 2921 2922 2027-2045CCCCGGGGAGAAGAGCUCC GGAGCUCUUCUCCCCGGGG 2923 2924 2028-2046CCCGGGGAGAAGAGCUCCU AGGAGCUCUUCUCCCCGGG 2925 2926 2029-2047CCGGGGAGAAGAGCUCCUA UAGGAGCUCUUCUCCCCGG 2927 2928 2030-2048CGGGGAGAAGAGCUCCUAC GUAGGAGCUCUUCUCCCCG 2929 2930 2031-2049GGGGAGAAGAGCUCCUACG CGUAGGAGCUCUUCUCCCC 2931 2932 2032-2050GGGAGAAGAGCUCCUACGG CCGUAGGAGCUCUUCUCCC 2933 2934 2033-2051GGAGAAGAGCUCCUACGGA UCCGUAGGAGCUCUUCUCC 2935 2936 2034-2052GAGAAGAGCUCCUACGGAU AUCCGUAGGAGCUCUUCUC 2937 2938 2060-2078ACCCCUCACCACACACCCC GGGGUGUGUGGUGAGGGGU 2939 2940 2061-2079CCCCUCACCACACACCCCA UGGGGUGUGUGGUGAGGGG 2941 2942 2062-2080CCCUCACCACACACCCCAG CUGGGGUGUGUGGUGAGGG 2943 2944 2063-2081CCUCACCACACACCCCAGA UCUGGGGUGUGUGGUGAGG 2945 2946 2064-2082CUCACCACACACCCCAGAU AUCUGGGGUGUGUGGUGAG 2947 2948 2065-2083UCACCACACACCCCAGAUG CAUCUGGGGUGUGUGGUGA 2949 2950 2066-2084CACCACACACCCCAGAUGA UCAUCUGGGGUGUGUGGUG 2951 2952 2067-2085ACCACACACCCCAGAUGAU AUCAUCUGGGGUGUGUGGU 2953 2954 2068-2086CCACACACCCCAGAUGAUG CAUCAUCUGGGGUGUGUGG 2955 2956 2069-2087CACACACCCCAGAUGAUGA UCAUCAUCUGGGGUGUGUG 2957 2958 2070-2088ACACACCCCAGAUGAUGAA UUCAUCAUCUGGGGUGUGU 2959 2960 2071-2089CACACCCCAGAUGAUGAAC GUUCAUCAUCUGGGGUGUG 2961 2962 2072-2090ACACCCCAGAUGAUGAACU AGUUCAUCAUCUGGGGUGU 2963 2964 2073-2091CACCCCAGAUGAUGAACUA UAGUUCAUCAUCUGGGGUG 2965 2966 2074-2092ACCCCAGAUGAUGAACUAC GUAGUUCAUCAUCUGGGGU 2967 2968 2076-2094CCCAGAUGAUGAACUACUU AAGUAGUUCAUCAUCUGGG 2969 2970 2077-2095CCAGAUGAUGAACUACUUC GAAGUAGUUCAUCAUCUGG 2971 2972 2078-2096CAGAUGAUGAACUACUUCC GGAAGUAGUUCAUCAUCUG 2973 2974 2079-2097AGAUGAUGAACUACUUCCU AGGAAGUAGUUCAUCAUCU 2975 2976 2080-2098GAUGAUGAACUACUUCCUU AAGGAAGUAGUUCAUCAUC 2977 2978 2081-2099AUGAUGAACUACUUCCUUG CAAGGAAGUAGUUCAUCAU 2979 2980 2082-2100UGAUGAACUACUUCCUUGA UCAAGGAAGUAGUUCAUCA 2981 2982 2083-2101GAUGAACUACUUCCUUGAG CUCAAGGAAGUAGUUCAUC 2983 2984 2084-2102AUGAACUACUUCCUUGAGA UCUCAAGGAAGUAGUUCAU 2985 2986 2085-2103UGAACUACUUCCUUGAGAA UUCUCAAGGAAGUAGUUCA 2987 2988 2086-2104GAACUACUUCCUUGAGAAU AUUCUCAAGGAAGUAGUUC 2989 2990 2087-2105AACUACUUCCUUGAGAAUC GAUUCUCAAGGAAGUAGUU 2991 2992 2088-2106ACUACUUCCUUGAGAAUCU AGAUUCUCAAGGAAGUAGU 2993 2994 2089-2107CUACUUCCUUGAGAAUCUG CAGAUUCUCAAGGAAGUAG 2995 2996 2090-2108UACUUCCUUGAGAAUCUGC GCAGAUUCUCAAGGAAGUA 2997 2998 2091-2109ACUUCCUUGAGAAUCUGCU AGCAGAUUCUCAAGGAAGU 2999 3000 2117-2135UGGAAGCAAGUGGGGCUGG CCAGCCCCACUUGCUUCCA 3001 3002 2118-2136GGAAGCAAGUGGGGCUGGA UCCAGCCCCACUUGCUUCC 3003 3004 2119-2137GAAGCAAGUGGGGCUGGAA UUCCAGCCCCACUUGCUUC 3005 3006 2120-2138AAGCAAGUGGGGCUGGAAC GUUCCAGCCCCACUUGCUU 3007 3008 2121-2139AGCAAGUGGGGCUGGAACU AGUUCCAGCCCCACUUGCU 3009 3010 2122-2140GCAAGUGGGGCUGGAACUG CAGUUCCAGCCCCACUUGC 3011 3012 2123-2141CAAGUGGGGCUGGAACUGA UCAGUUCCAGCCCCACUUG 3013 3014 2124-2142AAGUGGGGCUGGAACUGAA UUCAGUUCCAGCCCCACUU 3015 3016 2125-2143AGUGGGGCUGGAACUGAAG CUUCAGUUCCAGCCCCACU 3017 3018 2126-2144GUGGGGCUGGAACUGAAGC GCUUCAGUUCCAGCCCCAC 3019 3020 2127-2145UGGGGCUGGAACUGAAGCC GGCUUCAGUUCCAGCCCCA 3021 3022 2147-2165CAUUCCUCAGCUGAGUGCA UGCACUCAGCUGAGGAAUG 3023 3024 2148-2166AUUCCUCAGCUGAGUGCAA UUGCACUCAGCUGAGGAAU 3025 3026 2149-2167UUCCUCAGCUGAGUGCAAC GUUGCACUCAGCUGAGGAA 3027 3028 2150-2168UCCUCAGCUGAGUGCAACU AGUUGCACUCAGCUGAGGA 3029 3030 2151-2169CCUCAGCUGAGUGCAACUU AAGUUGCACUCAGCUGAGG 3031 3032 2152-2170CUCAGCUGAGUGCAACUUC GAAGUUGCACUCAGCUGAG 3033 3034 2153-2171UCAGCUGAGUGCAACUUCU AGAAGUUGCACUCAGCUGA 3035 3036 2154-2172CAGCUGAGUGCAACUUCUG CAGAAGUUGCACUCAGCUG 3037 3038 2155-2173AGCUGAGUGCAACUUCUGC GCAGAAGUUGCACUCAGCU 3039 3040 2156-2174GCUGAGUGCAACUUCUGCA UGCAGAAGUUGCACUCAGC 3041 3042 2157-2175CUGAGUGCAACUUCUGCAG CUGCAGAAGUUGCACUCAG 3043 3044 2158-2176UGAGUGCAACUUCUGCAGG CCUGCAGAAGUUGCACUCA 3045 3046 2159-2177GAGUGCAACUUCUGCAGGA UCCUGCAGAAGUUGCACUC 3047 3048 2160-2178AGUGCAACUUCUGCAGGAG CUCCUGCAGAAGUUGCACU 3049 3050 2161-2179GUGCAACUUCUGCAGGAGG CCUCCUGCAGAAGUUGCAC 3051 3052 2162-2180UGCAACUUCUGCAGGAGGC GCCUCCUGCAGAAGUUGCA 3053 3054 2163-2181GCAACUUCUGCAGGAGGCC GGCCUCCUGCAGAAGUUGC 3055 3056 2164-2182CAACUUCUGCAGGAGGCCA UGGCCUCCUGCAGAAGUUG 3057 3058 2165-2183AACUUCUGCAGGAGGCCAC GUGGCCUCCUGCAGAAGUU 3059 3060 2166-2184ACUUCUGCAGGAGGCCACU AGUGGCCUCCUGCAGAAGU 3061 3062 2167-2185CUUCUGCAGGAGGCCACUG CAGUGGCCUCCUGCAGAAG 3063 3064 2168-2186UUCUGCAGGAGGCCACUGC GCAGUGGCCUCCUGCAGAA 3065 3066 2169-2187UCUGCAGGAGGCCACUGCA UGCAGUGGCCUCCUGCAGA 3067 3068 2170-2188CUGCAGGAGGCCACUGCAU AUGCAGUGGCCUCCUGCAG 3069 3070 2171-2189UGCAGGAGGCCACUGCAUU AAUGCAGUGGCCUCCUGCA 3071 3072 2172-2190GCAGGAGGCCACUGCAUUU AAAUGCAGUGGCCUCCUGC 3073 3074 2173-2191CAGGAGGCCACUGCAUUUU AAAAUGCAGUGGCCUCCUG 3075 3076 2174-2192AGGAGGCCACUGCAUUUUG CAAAAUGCAGUGGCCUCCU 3077 3078 2175-2193GGAGGCCACUGCAUUUUGA UCAAAAUGCAGUGGCCUCC 3079 3080 2176-2194GAGGCCACUGCAUUUUGAA UUCAAAAUGCAGUGGCCUC 3081 3082 2177-2195AGGCCACUGCAUUUUGAAG CUUCAAAAUGCAGUGGCCU 3083 3084 2178-2196GGCCACUGCAUUUUGAAGU ACUUCAAAAUGCAGUGGCC 3085 3086 2179-2197GCCACUGCAUUUUGAAGUG CACUUCAAAAUGCAGUGGC 3087 3088 2180-2198CCACUGCAUUUUGAAGUGA UCACUUCAAAAUGCAGUGG 3089 3090 2181-2199CACUGCAUUUUGAAGUGAU AUCACUUCAAAAUGCAGUG 3091 3092 2182-2200ACUGCAUUUUGAAGUGAUG CAUCACUUCAAAAUGCAGU 3093 3094 2183-2201CUGCAUUUUGAAGUGAUGA UCAUCACUUCAAAAUGCAG 3095 3096 2184-2202UGCAUUUUGAAGUGAUGAG CUCAUCACUUCAAAAUGCA 3097 3098 2185-2203GCAUUUUGAAGUGAUGAGU ACUCAUCACUUCAAAAUGC 3099 3100 2186-2204CAUUUUGAAGUGAUGAGUG CACUCAUCACUUCAAAAUG 3101 3102 2187-2205AUUUUGAAGUGAUGAGUGA UCACUCAUCACUUCAAAAU 3103 3104 2188-2206UUUUGAAGUGAUGAGUGAA UUCACUCAUCACUUCAAAA 3105 3106 2190-2208UUGAAGUGAUGAGUGAAAG CUUUCACUCAUCACUUCAA 3107 3108 2191-2209UGAAGUGAUGAGUGAAAGA UCUUUCACUCAUCACUUCA 3109 3110 2192-2210GAAGUGAUGAGUGAAAGAG CUCUUUCACUCAUCACUUC 3111 3112 2193-2211AAGUGAUGAGUGAAAGAGA UCUCUUUCACUCAUCACUU 3113 3114 2194-2212AGUGAUGAGUGAAAGAGAG CUCUCUUUCACUCAUCACU 3115 3116 2195-2213GUGAUGAGUGAAAGAGAGA UCUCUCUUUCACUCAUCAC 3117 3118 2196-2214UGAUGAGUGAAAGAGAGAA UUCUCUCUUUCACUCAUCA 3119 3120 2197-2215GAUGAGUGAAAGAGAGAAG CUUCUCUCUUUCACUCAUC 3121 3122 2198-2216AUGAGUGAAAGAGAGAAGU ACUUCUCUCUUUCACUCAU 3123 3124 2199-2217UGAGUGAAAGAGAGAAGUC GACUUCUCUCUUUCACUCA 3125 3126 2200-2218GAGUGAAAGAGAGAAGUCC GGACUUCUCUCUUUCACUC 3127 3128 2201-2219AGUGAAAGAGAGAAGUCCU AGGACUUCUCUCUUUCACU 3129 3130 2202-2220GUGAAAGAGAGAAGUCCUA UAGGACUUCUCUCUUUCAC 3131 3132 2203-2221UGAAAGAGAGAAGUCCUAU AUAGGACUUCUCUCUUUCA 3133 3134 2204-2222GAAAGAGAGAAGUCCUAUU AAUAGGACUUCUCUCUUUC 3135 3136 2205-2223AAAGAGAGAAGUCCUAUUU AAAUAGGACUUCUCUCUUU 3137 3138 2206-2224AAGAGAGAAGUCCUAUUUC GAAAUAGGACUUCUCUCUU 3139 3140 2207-2225AGAGAGAAGUCCUAUUUCU AGAAAUAGGACUUCUCUCU 3141 3142 2208-2226GAGAGAAGUCCUAUUUCUC GAGAAAUAGGACUUCUCUC 3143 3144 2209-2227AGAGAAGUCCUAUUUCUCA UGAGAAAUAGGACUUCUCU 3145 3146 2210-2228GAGAAGUCCUAUUUCUCAG CUGAGAAAUAGGACUUCUC 3147 3148 2211-2229AGAAGUCCUAUUUCUCAGG CCUGAGAAAUAGGACUUCU 3149 3150 2212-2230GAAGUCCUAUUUCUCAGGC GCCUGAGAAAUAGGACUUC 3151 3152 2213-2231AAGUCCUAUUUCUCAGGCU AGCCUGAGAAAUAGGACUU 3153 3154 2214-2232AGUCCUAUUUCUCAGGCUU AAGCCUGAGAAAUAGGACU 3155 3156 2215-2233GUCCUAUUUCUCAGGCUUG CAAGCCUGAGAAAUAGGAC 3157 3158 2216-2234UCCUAUUUCUCAGGCUUGA UCAAGCCUGAGAAAUAGGA 3159 3160 2217-2235CCUAUUUCUCAGGCUUGAG CUCAAGCCUGAGAAAUAGG 3161 3162 2218-2236CUAUUUCUCAGGCUUGAGC GCUCAAGCCUGAGAAAUAG 3163 3164 2219-2237UAUUUCUCAGGCUUGAGCA UGCUCAAGCCUGAGAAAUA 3165 3166 2220-2238AUUUCUCAGGCUUGAGCAA UUGCUCAAGCCUGAGAAAU 3167 3168 2221-2239UUUCUCAGGCUUGAGCAAG CUUGCUCAAGCCUGAGAAA 3169 3170 2222-2240UUCUCAGGCUUGAGCAAGU ACUUGCUCAAGCCUGAGAA 3171 3172 2223-2241UCUCAGGCUUGAGCAAGUU AACUUGCUCAAGCCUGAGA 3173 3174 2224-2242CUCAGGCUUGAGCAAGUUG CAACUUGCUCAAGCCUGAG 3175 3176 2225-2243UCAGGCUUGAGCAAGUUGG CCAACUUGCUCAAGCCUGA 3177 3178 2226-2244CAGGCUUGAGCAAGUUGGU ACCAACUUGCUCAAGCCUG 3179 3180 2229-2247GCUUGAGCAAGUUGGUAUC GAUACCAACUUGCUCAAGC 3181 3182 2231-2249UUGAGCAAGUUGGUAUCUG CAGAUACCAACUUGCUCAA 3183 3184 2232-2250UGAGCAAGUUGGUAUCUGC GCAGAUACCAACUUGCUCA 3185 3186 2233-2251GAGCAAGUUGGUAUCUGCU AGCAGAUACCAACUUGCUC 3187 3188 2234-2252AGCAAGUUGGUAUCUGCUC GAGCAGAUACCAACUUGCU 3189 3190 2235-2253GCAAGUUGGUAUCUGCUCA UGAGCAGAUACCAACUUGC 3191 3192 2236-2254CAAGUUGGUAUCUGCUCAG CUGAGCAGAUACCAACUUG 3193 3194 2237-2255AAGUUGGUAUCUGCUCAGG CCUGAGCAGAUACCAACUU 3195 3196 2238-2256AGUUGGUAUCUGCUCAGGC GCCUGAGCAGAUACCAACU 3197 3198 2239-2257GUUGGUAUCUGCUCAGGCC GGCCUGAGCAGAUACCAAC 3199 3200 2240-2258UUGGUAUCUGCUCAGGCCU AGGCCUGAGCAGAUACCAA 3201 3202 2241-2259UGGUAUCUGCUCAGGCCUG CAGGCCUGAGCAGAUACCA 3203 3204 2242-2260GGUAUCUGCUCAGGCCUGA UCAGGCCUGAGCAGAUACC 3205 3206 2243-2261GUAUCUGCUCAGGCCUGAG CUCAGGCCUGAGCAGAUAC 3207 3208 2244-2262UAUCUGCUCAGGCCUGAGC GCUCAGGCCUGAGCAGAUA 3209 3210 2245-2263AUCUGCUCAGGCCUGAGCA UGCUCAGGCCUGAGCAGAU 3211 3212 2246-2264UCUGCUCAGGCCUGAGCAU AUGCUCAGGCCUGAGCAGA 3213 3214 2247-2265CUGCUCAGGCCUGAGCAUG CAUGCUCAGGCCUGAGCAG 3215 3216 2248-2266UGCUCAGGCCUGAGCAUGA UCAUGCUCAGGCCUGAGCA 3217 3218 2249-2267GCUCAGGCCUGAGCAUGAC GUCAUGCUCAGGCCUGAGC 3219 3220 2250-2268CUCAGGCCUGAGCAUGACC GGUCAUGCUCAGGCCUGAG 3221 3222 2251-2269UCAGGCCUGAGCAUGACCU AGGUCAUGCUCAGGCCUGA 3223 3224 2252-2270CAGGCCUGAGCAUGACCUC GAGGUCAUGCUCAGGCCUG 3225 3226 2253-2271AGGCCUGAGCAUGACCUCA UGAGGUCAUGCUCAGGCCU 3227 3228 2279-2297CACUUAACCCCAGGCCAUU AAUGGCCUGGGGUUAAGUG 3229 3230 2280-2298ACUUAACCCCAGGCCAUUA UAAUGGCCUGGGGUUAAGU 3231 3232 2281-2299CUUAACCCCAGGCCAUUAU AUAAUGGCCUGGGGUUAAG 3233 3234 2282-2300UUAACCCCAGGCCAUUAUC GAUAAUGGCCUGGGGUUAA 3235 3236 2283-2301UAACCCCAGGCCAUUAUCA UGAUAAUGGCCUGGGGUUA 3237 3238 2284-2302AACCCCAGGCCAUUAUCAU AUGAUAAUGGCCUGGGGUU 3239 3240 2285-2303ACCCCAGGCCAUUAUCAUA UAUGAUAAUGGCCUGGGGU 3241 3242 2287-2305CCCAGGCCAUUAUCAUAUC GAUAUGAUAAUGGCCUGGG 3243 3244 2288-2306CCAGGCCAUUAUCAUAUCC GGAUAUGAUAAUGGCCUGG 3245 3246 2289-2307CAGGCCAUUAUCAUAUCCA UGGAUAUGAUAAUGGCCUG 3247 3248 2290-2308AGGCCAUUAUCAUAUCCAG CUGGAUAUGAUAAUGGCCU 3249 3250 2291-2309GGCCAUUAUCAUAUCCAGA UCUGGAUAUGAUAAUGGCC 3251 3252 2292-2310GCCAUUAUCAUAUCCAGAU AUCUGGAUAUGAUAAUGGC 3253 3254 2314-2332CUUCAGAGUUGUCUUUAUA UAUAAAGACAACUCUGAAG 3255 3256 2315-2333UUCAGAGUUGUCUUUAUAU AUAUAAAGACAACUCUGAA 3257 3258 2316-2334UCAGAGUUGUCUUUAUAUG CAUAUAAAGACAACUCUGA 3259 3260 2318-2336AGAGUUGUCUUUAUAUGUG CACAUAUAAAGACAACUCU 3261 3262 2322-2340UUGUCUUUAUAUGUGAAUU AAUUCACAUAUAAAGACAA 3263 3264 2323-2341UGUCUUUAUAUGUGAAUUA UAAUUCACAUAUAAAGACA 3265 3266 2324-2342GUCUUUAUAUGUGAAUUAA UUAAUUCACAUAUAAAGAC 3267 3268 2325-2343UCUUUAUAUGUGAAUUAAG CUUAAUUCACAUAUAAAGA 3269 3270 2326-2344CUUUAUAUGUGAAUUAAGU ACUUAAUUCACAUAUAAAG 3271 3272 2327-2345UUUAUAUGUGAAUUAAGUU AACUUAAUUCACAUAUAAA 3273 3274 2328-2346UUAUAUGUGAAUUAAGUUA UAACUUAAUUCACAUAUAA 3275 3276 2329-2347UAUAUGUGAAUUAAGUUAU AUAACUUAAUUCACAUAUA 3277 3278 2330-2348AUAUGUGAAUUAAGUUAUA UAUAACUUAAUUCACAUAU 3279 3280 2331-2349UAUGUGAAUUAAGUUAUAU AUAUAACUUAAUUCACAUA 3281 3282 2332-2350AUGUGAAUUAAGUUAUAUU AAUAUAACUUAAUUCACAU 3283 3284 2333-2351UGUGAAUUAAGUUAUAUUA UAAUAUAACUUAAUUCACA 3285 3286 2334-2352GUGAAUUAAGUUAUAUUAA UUAAUAUAACUUAAUUCAC 3287 3288 2335-2353UGAAUUAAGUUAUAUUAAA UUUAAUAUAACUUAAUUCA 3289 3290 2336-2354GAAUUAAGUUAUAUUAAAU AUUUAAUAUAACUUAAUUC 3291 3292 2337-2355AAUUAAGUUAUAUUAAAUU AAUUUAAUAUAACUUAAUU 3293 3294 2338-2356AUUAAGUUAUAUUAAAUUU AAAUUUAAUAUAACUUAAU 3295 3296 2339-2357UUAAGUUAUAUUAAAUUUU AAAAUUUAAUAUAACUUAA 3297 3298 2340-2358UAAGUUAUAUUAAAUUUUA UAAAAUUUAAUAUAACUUA 3299 3300 2341-2359AAGUUAUAUUAAAUUUUAA UUAAAAUUUAAUAUAACUU 3301 3302 2342-2360AGUUAUAUUAAAUUUUAAU AUUAAAAUUUAAUAUAACU 3303 3304 2343-2361GUUAUAUUAAAUUUUAAUC GAUUAAAAUUUAAUAUAAC 3305 3306 2345-2363UAUAUUAAAUUUUAAUCUA UAGAUUAAAAUUUAAUAUA 3307 3308 2346-2364AUAUUAAAUUUUAAUCUAU AUAGAUUAAAAUUUAAUAU 3309 3310 2347-2365UAUUAAAUUUUAAUCUAUA UAUAGAUUAAAAUUUAAUA 3311 3312 2348-2366AUUAAAUUUUAAUCUAUAG CUAUAGAUUAAAAUUUAAU 3313 3314 2349-2367UUAAAUUUUAAUCUAUAGU ACUAUAGAUUAAAAUUUAA 3315 3316 2350-2368UAAAUUUUAAUCUAUAGUA UACUAUAGAUUAAAAUUUA 3317 3318 2351-2369AAAUUUUAAUCUAUAGUAA UUACUAUAGAUUAAAAUUU 3319 3320 2354-2372UUUUAAUCUAUAGUAAAAA UUUUUACUAUAGAUUAAAA 3321 3322 2355-2373UUUAAUCUAUAGUAAAAAC GUUUUUACUAUAGAUUAAA 3323 3324 2356-2374UUAAUCUAUAGUAAAAACA UGUUUUUACUAUAGAUUAA 3325 3326 2357-2375UAAUCUAUAGUAAAAACAU AUGUUUUUACUAUAGAUUA 3327 3328 2358-2376AAUCUAUAGUAAAAACAUA UAUGUUUUUACUAUAGAUU 3329 3330 2359-2377AUCUAUAGUAAAAACAUAG CUAUGUUUUUACUAUAGAU 3331 3332 2360-2378UCUAUAGUAAAAACAUAGU ACUAUGUUUUUACUAUAGA 3333 3334 2361-2379CUAUAGUAAAAACAUAGUC GACUAUGUUUUUACUAUAG 3335 3336 2362-2380UAUAGUAAAAACAUAGUCC GGACUAUGUUUUUACUAUA 3337 3338 2363-2381AUAGUAAAAACAUAGUCCU AGGACUAUGUUUUUACUAU 3339 3340 2364-2382UAGUAAAAACAUAGUCCUG CAGGACUAUGUUUUUACUA 3341 3342 2365-2383AGUAAAAACAUAGUCCUGG CCAGGACUAUGUUUUUACU 3343 3344 2366-2384GUAAAAACAUAGUCCUGGA UCCAGGACUAUGUUUUUAC 3345 3346 2367-2385UAAAAACAUAGUCCUGGAA UUCCAGGACUAUGUUUUUA 3347 3348 2368-2386AAAAACAUAGUCCUGGAAA UUUCCAGGACUAUGUUUUU 3349 3350 2369-2387AAAACAUAGUCCUGGAAAU AUUUCCAGGACUAUGUUUU 3351 3352 2370-2388AAACAUAGUCCUGGAAAUA UAUUUCCAGGACUAUGUUU 3353 3354 2371-2389AACAUAGUCCUGGAAAUAA UUAUUUCCAGGACUAUGUU 3355 3356 2372-2390ACAUAGUCCUGGAAAUAAA UUUAUUUCCAGGACUAUGU 3357 3358 2373-2391CAUAGUCCUGGAAAUAAAU AUUUAUUUCCAGGACUAUG 3359 3360 2374-2392AUAGUCCUGGAAAUAAAUU AAUUUAUUUCCAGGACUAU 3361 3362 2375-2393UAGUCCUGGAAAUAAAUUC GAAUUUAUUUCCAGGACUA 3363 3364 2377-2395GUCCUGGAAAUAAAUUCUU AAGAAUUUAUUUCCAGGAC 3365 3366 2378-2396UCCUGGAAAUAAAUUCUUG CAAGAAUUUAUUUCCAGGA

Example 9 Suppression of Porphyrin Precursors Using ALAS1 siRNA in anAcute Treatment Paradigm

The AIP mouse model (see Example 5) was used to investigate whetherALAS1 siRNA would work an acute treatment paradigm to lower alreadyelevated levels of ALA and PBG, as would be present, for example, when ahuman porphyria patient suffers from an acute attack. Administration ofthe AD-53558 LNP11 formulation siRNA at a 1 mg/kg dose 12 hours afterthe last dose of phenobarbitol rapidly decreased the levels of both ALAand PBG in mouse plasma, whereas in Luc control treated animals thelevels continued to rise (FIG. 14). These results indicate that ALASsiRNA is effective for treating an acute attack. The ALAS1 siRNA waseffective to lower and prevent further increases in ALA and PBG levels.

Example 10 siRNAs that Target ALAS1

Further unmodified and modified siRNA sequences that target ALAS1 siRNAwere designed and produced as described in Example 2. The in vitroactivity of the modified duplexes was tested as described below.

Methods Lipid Mediated Transfection

For Hep3B, PMH, and primary Cynomolgus hepatocytes, transfection wascarried out by adding 14.8 μl of Opti-MEM plus 0.2 μl of LipofectamineRNAiMax per well (Invitrogen, Carlsbad Calif. catalog number 13778-150)to 5 μl of each siRNA duplex to an individual well in a 96-well plate.The mixture was then incubated at room temperature for 20 minutes.Eighty μl of complete growth media without antibiotic containing theappropriate cell number were then added to the siRNA mixture. Cells wereincubated for 24 hours prior to RNA purification.

Single dose experiments were performed at 1 uM, 500 nM, 20 nM, 10 nM and0.2 nM final duplex concentration for GalNAc modified.

Free Uptake Transfection

Cryopreserved Primary Cynomolgus Hepatocytes (Celsis In VitroTechnologies, M003055-P) were thawed at 37° C. water bath immediatelyprior to usage and re-suspended at 0.26×10⁶ cells/ml in InVitroGRO CP(plating) medium (Celsis In Vitro Technologies, catalog number Z99029).During transfections, cells were plated onto a BD BioCoat 96 wellcollagen plate (BD, 356407) at 25,000 cells per well and incubated at37° C. in an atmosphere of 5% CO₂. Free Uptake experiments wereperformed by adding 10 μl of siRNA duplexes in PBS per well into a 96well (96w) plate. Ninety μl of complete growth media containingappropriate cell number for the cell type was then added to the siRNA.Cells were incubated for 24 hours prior to RNA purification. Single doseexperiments were performed at 1 uM, 500 nM, 20 nM and 10 nM finalduplex.

Total RNA Isolation Using DYNABEADS mRNA Isolation Kit (Invitrogen, Part#: 610-12)

Cells were harvested and lysed in 150 μl of Lysis/Binding Buffer thenmixed for 5 minutes at 850 rpm using an Eppendorf Thermomixer (themixing speed was the same throughout the process). Ten microliters ofmagnetic beads and 80 μl Lysis/Binding Buffer mixture were added to around bottom plate and mixed for 1 minute. Magnetic beads were capturedusing a magnetic stand and the supernatant was removed withoutdisturbing the beads. After removing the supernatant, the lysed cellswere added to the remaining beads and mixed for 5 minutes. Afterremoving the supernatant, magnetic beads were washed 2 times with 150 μlWash Buffer A and mixed for 1 minute. The beads were captured again andthe supernatant was removed. The beads were then washed with 150 μl WashBuffer B, captured and the supernatant was removed. The beads were nextwashed with 150 μl Elution Buffer, captured and the supernatant removed.Finally, the beads were allowed to dry for 2 minutes. After drying, 50μl of Elution Buffer was added and mixed for 5 minutes at 70° C. Thebeads were captured on magnet for 5 minutes. Forty-five μl ofsupernatant was removed and added to another 96 well plate.

cDNA Synthesis Using ABI High Capacity cDNA Reverse Transcription Kit(Applied Biosystems, Foster City, Calif., Cat #4368813)

A master mix of 2 μl 10× Buffer, 0.8 μl 25× dNTPs, 2 μl Random primers,1 μl Reverse Transcriptase, 1 μl RNase inhibitor and 3.2 μl of H2O perreaction as prepared. Equal volumes master mix and RNA were mixed for afinal volume of 12 μl for in vitro screened or 20 μl for in vivoscreened samples. cDNA was generated using a Bio-Rad C-1000 or S-1000thermal cycler (Hercules, Calif.) through the following steps: 25° C.for 10 minutes, 37° C. for 120 minutes, 85° C. for 5 seconds, and 4° C.hold.

Real Time PCR

Two μl of cDNA were added to a master mix containing 2 μl of H₂O, 0.5 alGAPDH TaqMan Probe (Life Technologies catalog number 4326317E for Hep3Bcells, catalog number 352339E for primary mouse hepatocytes or customprobe for cynomolgus primary hepatocytes), 0.5 al C5 TaqMan probe (LifeTechnologies catalog number Hs00167441_m1 for Hep3B cells orMm00457879_m1 for Primary Mouse Hepatoctyes or custom probe forcynomolgus primary hepatocytes) and 5 al Lightcycler 480 probe mastermix (Roche catalog number 04887301001) per well in a 384 well (384 w)plates (Roche catalog number 04887301001). Real time PCR was performedin an Roche LC480 Real Time PCR system (Roche) using the ΔΔCt(RQ) assay.For in vitro screening, each duplex was tested with two biologicalreplicates unless otherwise noted and each Real Time PCR was performedin duplicate technical replicates. For in vivo screening, each duplexwas tested in one or more experiments (3 mice per group) and each RealTime PCR was run in duplicate technical replicates.

To calculate relative fold change in ALAS1 mRNA levels, real time datawere analyzed using the ΔΔCt method and normalized to assays performedwith cells transfected with 10 nM AD-1955, or mock transfected cells.IC₅₀s were calculated using a 4 parameter fit model using XLFit andnormalized to cells transfected with AD-1955 over the same dose range,or to its own lowest dose.

The sense and antisense sequences of AD-1955 are:

(SEQ ID NO: 3682) SENSE: cuuAcGcuGAGuAcuucGAdTsdT (SEQ ID NO: 3683)ANTISENSE: UCGAAGuACUcAGCGuAAGdTsdT.

The single strand and duplex sequences of the modified and unmodifiedsiRNAs are provided in Table 14 and Table 15, respectively.

TABLE 14 Human ALAS1 Modified Single Strands and Duplex Sequences TargetSEQ sites of ID antisense SEQ ID NO: sequence  NO: (anti- Duplex on NM_(sense) sense) Name Sense Sequence (5′-3′) Antisense Sequence (5′-3′)000688.4 3371 3372 AD-58848 CfsasUfgCfcAfaAfAfAfuGfgAfcAfasUfsgAfuGfuCfcAfuuuUfuGfgCfaU 1635-1657 uCfaUfL96 fgsAfsc 3373 3374AD-58849 AfsusUfuUfgAfaGfUfGfaUfgAfgU usUfsuCfaCfuCfaUfcacUfuCfaAfaAf2189-2211 fgAfaAfL96 usGfsc 3375 3376 AD-58850AfsgsUfuAfuAfuUfAfAfaUfuUfuA asGfsaUfuAfaAfaUfuuaAfuAfuAfaC 2344-2366faUfcUfL96 fusUfsa 3377 3378 AD-58851 GfscsAfuUfuUfgAfAfGfuGfaUfgAusCfsaCfuCfaUfcAfcuuCfaAfaAfuGf 2187-2209 fgUfgAfL96 csAfsg 3379 3380AD-58852 GfsasAfcUfaAfuGfAfGfcAfgAfcAf gsUfsuAfuGfuCfuGfcucAfuUfaGfuU1975-1997 uAfaCfL96 fcsAfsu 3381 3382 AD-58853AfsasUfgAfcCfaCfAfCfcUfaUfcGf asAfscUfcGfaUfaGfgugUfgGfuCfaU 973-995aGfuUfL96 fusCfsu 3383 3384 AD-58854 UfsasAfaUfuUfuAfAfUfcUfaUfaGusUfsuAfcUfaUfaGfauuAfaAfaUfuU 2352-2374 fuAfaAfL96 fasAfsu 3385 3386AD-58855 UfsusCfaGfuAfuGfAfUfcGfuUfuC csAfsaAfgAfaAfcGfaucAfuAfcUfgAf929-951 fuUfuGfL96 asAfsa 3387 3388 AD-58856CfsasCfuUfuUfcAfGfUfaUfgAfuCf asAfsaCfgAfuCfaUfacuGfaAfaAfgUf 924-946gUfuUfL96 gsGfsa 3389 3390 AD-58857 AfsasAfuCfuGfuUfUfCfcAfcUfuUfcsUfsgAfaAfaGfuGfgaaAfcAfgAfuUf 913-935 uCfaGfL96 usUfsg 3391 3392AD-58858 CfsasUfuUfgAfaAfCfUfgUfcCfaUf usUfsgAfaUfgGfaCfaguUfuCfaAfaU1478-1500 uCfaAfL96 fgsCfsc 3393 3394 AD-58859CfscsUfaUfcGfaGfUfUfuUfuAfaA csAfsgUfuUfuAfaAfaacUfcGfaUfaG  983-1005faCfuGfL96 fgsUfsg 3395 3396 AD-58861 GfsasCfcAfgAfaAfGfAfgUfgUfcUfgsAfsuGfaGfaCfaCfucuUfuCfuGfgU 872-894 cAfuCfL96 fcsUfsu 3397 3398AD-58862 AfscsCfaGfaAfaGfAfGfuGfuCfuCf asGfsaUfgAfgAfcAfcucUfuUfcUfgGf873-895 aUfcUfL96 usCfsu 3399 3400 AD-58863AfscsUfaAfuGfaGfCfAfgAfcAfuAf asUfsgUfuAfuGfuCfugcUfcAfuUfaG 1977-1999aCfaUfL96 fusUfsc 3401 3402 AD-58864 UfsasGfuAfaAfaAfCfAfuAfgUfcCfusCfscAfgGfaCfuAfuguUfuUfuAfcU 2366-2388 uGfgAfL96 fasUfsa 3403 3404AD-58865 UfsasUfuUfcUfgGfAfAfcUfaGfuA asAfsuUfuAfcUfaGfuucCfaGfaAfaU1185-1207 faAfuUfL96 fasUfsu 3405 3406 AD-58867UfsusCfuGfcAfaAfGfCfcAfgUfcUf csUfscAfaGfaCfuGfgcuUfuGfcAfgAf 706-728uGfaGfL96 asGfsa 3407 3408 AD-58868 GfsasGfgAfaAfgAfGfGfuUfgCfuGgsUfsuUfcAfgCfaAfccuCfuUfuCfcUf 759-781 faAfaCfL96 csAfsc 3409 3410AD-58869 GfsgsUfaCfuAfgAfAfAfuAfuUfuCf usCfscAfgAfaAfuAfuuuCfuAfgUfaCf1174-1196 uGfgAfL96 csAfsc 3411 3412 AD-58870GfsasCfaUfcAfuGfCfAfaAfaGfcAf usCfsuUfuGfcUfuUfugcAfuGfaUfgU 853-875aAfgAfL96 fcsCfsu 3413 3414 AD-58871 AfsasAfuUfuUfaAfUfCfuAfuAfgUusUfsuUfaCfuAfuAfgauUfaAfaAfuU 2353-2375 faAfaAfL96 fusAfsa 3415 3416AD-58873 CfsasUfgAfuCfcAfAfGfgGfaUfuCf usUfsuCfgAfaUfcCfcuuGfgAfuCfaUf1362-1384 gAfaAfL96 gsGfsa 3417 3418 AD-58874AfsgsAfcCfaGfaAfAfGfaGfuGfuCf asUfsgAfgAfcAfcUfcuuUfcUfgGfuCf 871-893uCfaUfL96 usUfsu 3419 3420 AD-58875 AfsusCfcUfgAfaGfAfGfcGfcUfgAfusCfscCfuCfaGfcGfcucUfuCfaGfgAf 1810-1832 gGfgAfL96 usCfsc 3421 3422AD-58876 GfsusCfuGfuGfaUfGfAfaCfuAfaU gsCfsuCfaUfuAfgUfucaUfcAfcAfgAf1966-1988 fgAfgCfL96 csUfsu 3423 3424 AD-58877CfsasGfaAfaGfaGfUfGfuCfuCfaUf gsAfsaGfaUfgAfgAfcacUfcUfuUfcUf 875-897cUfuCfL96 gsGfsu 3425 3426 AD-58878 AfscsUfuUfuCfaGfUfAfuGfaUfcGgsAfsaAfcGfaUfcAfuacUfgAfaAfaGf 925-947 fuUfuCfL96 usGfsg 3427 3428AD-58879 UfscsAfuGfcCfaAfAfAfaUfgGfaCf usGfsaUfgUfcCfaUfuuuUfgGfcAfuG1634-1656 aUfcAfL96 fasCfsu 3429 3430 AD-58880AfsasUfaUfuUfcUfGfGfaAfcUfaG usUfsuAfcUfaGfuUfccaGfaAfaUfaU 1183-1205fuAfaAfL96 fusUfsc 3431 3432 AD-58881 CfsusUfcUfuCfaAfGfAfuAfaCfuUfusGfsgCfaAfgUfuAfucuUfgAfaGfaA 892-914 gCfcAfL96 fgsAfsu 3433 3434AD-58882 UfsusUfcAfgUfaUfGfAfuCfgUfuU asAfsaGfaAfaCfgAfucaUfaCfuGfaAf928-950 fcUfuUfL96 asAfsg 3435 3436 AD-58883CfscsCfaGfuGfuGfGfUfuAfgUfgU usUfsuCfaCfaCfuAfaccAfcAfcUfgGf 790-812fgAfaAfL96 gsGfsc 3437 3438 AD-58884 GfscsUfgUfgAfgAfUfUfuAfcUfcUfasAfsuCfaGfaGfuAfaauCfuCfaCfaGf 1325-1347 gAfuUfL96 csCfsu 3439 3440AD-58885 AfsgsGfcUfuGfaGfCfAfaGfuUfgG gsAfsuAfcCfaAfcUfugcUfcAfaGfcCf2229-2251 fuAfuCfL96 usGfsa 3441 3442 AD-58886GfsasAfaGfaGfuGfUfCfuCfaUfcU asAfsgAfaGfaUfgAfgacAfcUfcUfuUf 877-899fuCfuUfL96 csUfsg 3443 3444 AD-58887 AfsusUfuCfuGfgAfAfCfuAfgUfaAfgsAfsaUfuUfaCfuAfguuCfcAfgAfaAf 1186-1208 aUfuCfL96 usAfsu 3445 3446AD-58888 UfsgsUfgAfuGfuGfGfCfcCfaUfgAf asAfsaCfuCfaUfgGfgccAfcAfuCfaCf1531-1553 gUfuUfL96 asCfsa 3447 3448 AD-58889AfsasGfaGfaGfaAfGfUfcCfuAfuU gsAfsgAfaAfuAfgGfacuUfcUfcUfcUf 2208-2230fuCfuCfL96 usUfsc 3449 3450 AD-58890 UfsgsGfcAfgCfaCfAfGfaUfgAfaUfusCfsuGfaUfuCfaUfcugUfgCfuGfcCf 671-693 cAfgAfL96 asGfsg 3451 3452AD-58891 AfsusGfaUfcGfuUfUfCfuUfuGfaG usUfsuUfcUfcAfaAfgaaAfcGfaUfcAf935-957 faAfaAfL96 usAfsc 3453 3454 AD-58892UfscsUfgGfaAfcUfAfGfuAfaAfuU asUfsgGfaAfuUfuAfcuaGfuUfcCfaG 1189-1211fcCfaUfL96 fasAfsa 3455 3456 AD-59095 GfscsCfcAfuUfcUfUfAfuCfcCfgAfasCfsuCfgGfgAfuAfagaAfuGfgsgsc 360-382 gUfL96 3457 3458 AD-59096GfsgsAfaCfcAfuGfCfCfuCfcAfuGf asUfscAfuGfgAfgGfcauGfgUfuscsc 1347-1369aUfL96 3459 3460 AD-59097 UfsgsGfaGfuCfuGfUfGfcGfgAfuCasGfsgAfuCfcGfcAfcagAfcUfcscsa 1794-1816 fcUfL96 3461 3462 AD-59098CfsasCfcCfaCfgGfGfUfgUfgUfgGf usCfscCfaCfaCfaCfccgUfgGfgsusg 1112-1134gAfL96 3463 3464 AD-59099 GfsgsAfgUfcUfgUfGfCfgGfaUfcCfusAfsgGfaUfcCfgCfacaGfaCfuscsc 1795-1817 uAfL96 3465 3466 AD-59100CfsasAfaAfcUfgCfCfCfcAfaGfaUf usCfsaUfcUfuGfgGfgcaGfuUfususg 428-450gAfL96 3467 3468 AD-59101 GfscsCfuCfcAfuGfAfUfcCfaAfgGfusCfscCfuUfgGfaUfcauGfgAfgsgsc 1355-1377 gAfL96 3469 3470 AD-59102CfsasUfcAfuCfcCfUfGfuGfcGfgGf asAfscCfcGfcAfcAfgggAfuGfasusg 1921-1943uUfL96 3471 3472 AD-59103 AfscsCfcAfcGfgGfUfGfuGfuGfgGfusCfscCfcAfcAfcAfcccGfuGfgsgsu 1113-1135 gAfL96 3473 3474 AD-59104CfsasCfaUfcAfuCfCfCfuGfuGfcGf usCfscGfcAfcAfgGfgauGfaUfgsusg 1919-1941gAfL96 3475 3476 AD-59105 CfsasGfaAfaGfaGfUfGfuCfuCfaUfasGfsaUfgAfgAfcAfcucUfuUfcsusg 873-895 cUfL96 3477 3478 AD-59106CfscsUfcCfaUfgAfUfCfcAfaGfgGf asUfscCfcUfuGfgAfucaUfgGfasgsg 1356-1378aUfL96 3479 3480 AD-59107 UfsgsCfcCfaUfuCfUfUfaUfcCfcGfusUfscGfgGfaUfaAfgaaUfgGfgscsa 359-381 aAfL96 3481 3482 AD-59108CfsusUfcAfcCfcUfGfGfcUfaAfgAf usAfsuCfuUfaGfcCfaggGfuGfasasg 1297-1319uAfL96 3483 3484 AD-59109 AfsusCfaUfcCfcUfGfUfgCfgGfgUfusAfsaCfcCfgCfaCfaggGfaUfgsasu 1922-1944 uAfL96 3485 3486 AD-59110AfsgsAfaAfgAfgUfGfUfcUfcAfuCf asAfsgAfuGfaGfaCfacuCfuUfuscsu 874-896uUfL96 3487 3488 AD-59111 CfsusCfcAfuGfaUfCfCfaAfgGfgAfasAfsuCfcCfuUfgGfaucAfuGfgsasg 1357-1379 uUfL96 3489 3490 AD-59112CfscsAfuUfcUfuAfUfCfcCfgAfgUf usGfsaCfuCfgGfgAfuaaGfaAfusgsg 362-384cAfL96 3491 3492 AD-59113 CfsasCfcCfuGfgCfUfAfaGfaUfgAfusAfsuCfaUfcUfuAfgccAfgGfgsusg 1300-1322 uAfL96 3493 3494 AD-59114UfscsAfuCfcCfuGfUfGfcGfgGfuUf usCfsaAfcCfcGfcAfcagGfgAfusgsa 1923-1945gAfL96 3495 3496 AD-59115 AfsasGfaGfuGfuCfUfCfaUfcUfuCfasAfsgAfaGfaUfgAfgacAfcUfcsusu 877-899 uUfL96 3497 3498 AD-59116GfsusCfaUfgCfcAfAfAfaAfuGfgAf usGfsuCfcAfuUfuUfuggCfaUfgsasc 1631-1653cAfL96 3499 3500 AD-59117 CfsasUfuCfuUfaUfCfCfcGfaGfuCfusGfsgAfcUfcGfgGfauaAfgAfasusg 363-385 cAfL96 3501 3502 AD-59118AfscsCfcUfgGfcUfAfAfgAfuGfaUf usCfsaUfcAfuCfuUfagcCfaGfgsgsu 1301-1323gAfL96 3503 3504 AD-59119 CfsusCfuUfcAfcCfCfUfgGfcUfaAfusCfsuUfaGfcCfaGfgguGfaAfgsasg 1295-1317 gAfL96 3505 3506 AD-59120AfsusGfcCfaAfaAfAfUfgGfaCfaUf usGfsaUfgUfcCfaUfuuuUfgGfcsasu 1634-1656cAfL96 3507 3508 AD-59121 UfsgsCfcCfcAfaGfAfUfgAfuGfgAfasUfsuCfcAfuCfaUfcuuGfgGfgscsa 434-456 aUfL96 3509 3510 AD-59122GfsasAfcCfaUfgCfCfUfcCfaUfgAf usAfsuCfaUfgGfaGfgcaUfgGfususc 1348-1370uAfL96 3511 3512 AD-59123 UfscsUfuCfaCfcCfUfGfgCfuAfaGfasUfscUfuAfgCfcAfgggUfgAfasgsa 1296-1318 aUfL96 3513 3514 AD-59124UfsgsCfcAfaAfaAfUfGfgAfcAfuCf asUfsgAfuGfuCfcAfuuuUfuGfgscsa 1635-1657aUfL96 3515 3516 AD-59125 CfscsAfgAfaAfgAfGfUfgUfcUfcAfusAfsuGfaGfaCfaCfucuUfuCfusgsg 872-894 uAfL96 3517 3518 AD-59126GfsasAfaCfuGfuCfCfAfuUfcAfaUf usCfsaUfuGfaAfuGfgacAfgUfususc 1481-1503gAfL96 3519 3520 AD-59127 UfscsAfcCfcUfgGfCfUfaAfgAfuGfasUfscAfuCfuUfaGfccaGfgGfusgsa 1299-1321 aUfL96 3521 3522 AD-59128CfscsCfuGfgAfgUfCfUfgUfgCfgGf asUfscCfgCfaCfaGfacuCfcAfgsgsg 1791-1813aUfL96 3523 3524 AD-59129 GfsasAfaGfaGfuGfUfCfuCfaUfcUusAfsaGfaUfgAfgAfcacUfcUfususc 875-897 fuAfL96 3525 3526 AD-59130UfsgsGfaGfcCfcUfGfGfaGfuCfuG usAfscAfgAfcUfcCfaggGfcUfcscsa 1786-1808fuAfL96

TABLE 15 Human ALAS1 Unmodified Single Strands and Duplex Sequences SEQTarget sites ID of antisense SEQ ID NO: sequence on NO: (anti- DuplexSense Sequence Antisense Sequence NM_ (sense) sense) Name (5′-3′)(5′-3′) 000688.4 3684 3527 AD-58848 CAUGCCAAAAAUGGACAUCAUAUGAUGUCCAUUUUUGGCAUGAC 1635-1657 3528 3529 AD-58849AUUUUGAAGUGAUGAGUGAAA UUUCACUCAUCACUUCAAAAUGC 2189-2211 3530 3531AD-58850 AGUUAUAUUAAAUUUUAAUCU AGAUUAAAAUUUAAUAUAACUUA 2344-2366 35323533 AD-58851 GCAUUUUGAAGUGAUGAGUGA UCACUCAUCACUUCAAAAUGCAG 2187-22093534 3535 AD-58852 GAACUAAUGAGCAGACAUAAC GUUAUGUCUGCUCAUUAGUUCAU1975-1997 3536 3537 AD-58853 AAUGACCACACCUAUCGAGUUAACUCGAUAGGUGUGGUCAUUCU 973-995 3538 3539 AD-58854 UAAAUUUUAAUCUAUAGUAAAUUUACUAUAGAUUAAAAUUUAAU 2352-2374 3540 3541 AD-58855UUCAGUAUGAUCGUUUCUUUG CAAAGAAACGAUCAUACUGAAAA 929-951 3542 3543 AD-58856CACUUUUCAGUAUGAUCGUUU AAACGAUCAUACUGAAAAGUGGA 924-946 3544 3545 AD-58857AAAUCUGUUUCCACUUUUCAG CUGAAAAGUGGAAACAGAUUUUG 913-935 3546 3547 AD-58858CAUUUGAAACUGUCCAUUCAA UUGAAUGGACAGUUUCAAAUGCC 1478-1500 3548 3549AD-58859 CCUAUCGAGUUUUUAAAACUG CAGUUUUAAAAACUCGAUAGGUG  983-1005 35503551 AD-58861 GACCAGAAAGAGUGUCUCAUC GAUGAGACACUCUUUCUGGUCUU 872-894 35523553 AD-58862 ACCAGAAAGAGUGUCUCAUCU AGAUGAGACACUCUUUCUGGUCU 873-895 35543555 AD-58863 ACUAAUGAGCAGACAUAACAU AUGUUAUGUCUGCUCAUUAGUUC 1977-19993556 3557 AD-58864 UAGUAAAAACAUAGUCCUGGA UCCAGGACUAUGUUUUUACUAUA2366-2388 3558 3559 AD-58865 UAUUUCUGGAACUAGUAAAUUAAUUUACUAGUUCCAGAAAUAUU 1185-1207 3560 3561 AD-58867UUCUGCAAAGCCAGUCUUGAG CUCAAGACUGGCUUUGCAGAAGA 706-728 3562 3563 AD-58868GAGGAAAGAGGUUGCUGAAAC GUUUCAGCAACCUCUUUCCUCAC 759-781 3564 3565 AD-58869GGUACUAGAAAUAUUUCUGGA UCCAGAAAUAUUUCUAGUACCAC 1174-1196 3566 3567AD-58870 GACAUCAUGCAAAAGCAAAGA UCUUUGCUUUUGCAUGAUGUCCU 853-875 3568 3569AD-58871 AAAUUUUAAUCUAUAGUAAAA UUUUACUAUAGAUUAAAAUUUAA 2353-2375 35703571 AD-58873 CAUGAUCCAAGGGAUUCGAAA UUUCGAAUCCCUUGGAUCAUGGA 1362-13843572 3573 AD-58874 AGACCAGAAAGAGUGUCUCAU AUGAGACACUCUUUCUGGUCUUU 871-8933574 3575 AD-58875 AUCCUGAAGAGCGCUGAGGGA UCCCUCAGCGCUCUUCAGGAUCC1810-1832 3576 3577 AD-58876 GUCUGUGAUGAACUAAUGAGCGCUCAUUAGUUCAUCACAGACUU 1966-1988 3578 3579 AD-58877CAGAAAGAGUGUCUCAUCUUC GAAGAUGAGACACUCUUUCUGGU 875-897 3580 3581 AD-58878ACUUUUCAGUAUGAUCGUUUC GAAACGAUCAUACUGAAAAGUGG 925-947 3582 3583 AD-58879UCAUGCCAAAAAUGGACAUCA UGAUGUCCAUUUUUGGCAUGACU 1634-1656 3584 3585AD-58880 AAUAUUUCUGGAACUAGUAAA UUUACUAGUUCCAGAAAUAUUUC 1183-1205 35863587 AD-58881 CUUCUUCAAGAUAACUUGCCA UGGCAAGUUAUCUUGAAGAAGAU 892-914 35883589 AD-58882 UUUCAGUAUGAUCGUUUCUUU AAAGAAACGAUCAUACUGAAAAG 928-950 35903591 AD-58883 CCCAGUGUGGUUAGUGUGAAA UUUCACACUAACCACACUGGGGC 790-812 35923593 AD-58884 GCUGUGAGAUUUACUCUGAUU AAUCAGAGUAAAUCUCACAGCCU 1325-13473594 3595 AD-58885 AGGCUUGAGCAAGUUGGUAUC GAUACCAACUUGCUCAAGCCUGA2229-2251 3596 3597 AD-58886 GAAAGAGUGUCUCAUCUUCUUAAGAAGAUGAGACACUCUUUCUG 877-899 3598 3599 AD-58887 AUUUCUGGAACUAGUAAAUUCGAAUUUACUAGUUCCAGAAAUAU 1186-1208 3600 3601 AD-58888UGUGAUGUGGCCCAUGAGUUU AAACUCAUGGGCCACAUCACACA 1531-1553 3602 3603AD-58889 AAGAGAGAAGUCCUAUUUCUC GAGAAAUAGGACUUCUCUCUUUC 2208-2230 36043605 AD-58890 UGGCAGCACAGAUGAAUCAGA UCUGAUUCAUCUGUGCUGCCAGG 671-693 36063607 AD-58891 AUGAUCGUUUCUUUGAGAAAA UUUUCUCAAAGAAACGAUCAUAC 935-957 36083609 AD-58892 UCUGGAACUAGUAAAUUCCAU AUGGAAUUUACUAGUUCCAGAAA 1189-12113610 3611 AD-59095 GCCCAUUCUUAUCCCGAGU ACUCGGGAUAAGAAUGGGC 360-382 36123613 AD-59096 GGAACCAUGCCUCCAUGAU AUCAUGGAGGCAUGGUUCC 1347-1369 36143615 AD-59097 UGGAGUCUGUGCGGAUCCU AGGAUCCGCACAGACUCCA 1794-1816 36163617 AD-59098 CACCCACGGGUGUGUGGGA UCCCACACACCCGUGGGUG 1112-1134 36183619 AD-59099 GGAGUCUGUGCGGAUCCUA UAGGAUCCGCACAGACUCC 1795-1817 36203621 AD-59100 CAAAACUGCCCCAAGAUGA UCAUCUUGGGGCAGUUUUG 428-450 3622 3623AD-59101 GCCUCCAUGAUCCAAGGGA UCCCUUGGAUCAUGGAGGC 1355-1377 3624 3625AD-59102 CAUCAUCCCUGUGCGGGUU AACCCGCACAGGGAUGAUG 1921-1943 3626 3627AD-59103 ACCCACGGGUGUGUGGGGA UCCCCACACACCCGUGGGU 1113-1135 3628 3629AD-59104 CACAUCAUCCCUGUGCGGA UCCGCACAGGGAUGAUGUG 1919-1941 3630 3631AD-59105 CAGAAAGAGUGUCUCAUCU AGAUGAGACACUCUUUCUG 873-895 3632 3633AD-59106 CCUCCAUGAUCCAAGGGAU AUCCCUUGGAUCAUGGAGG 1356-1378 3634 3635AD-59107 UGCCCAUUCUUAUCCCGAA UUCGGGAUAAGAAUGGGCA 359-381 3636 3637AD-59108 CUUCACCCUGGCUAAGAUA UAUCUUAGCCAGGGUGAAG 1297-1319 3638 3639AD-59109 AUCAUCCCUGUGCGGGUUA UAACCCGCACAGGGAUGAU 1922-1944 3640 3641AD-59110 AGAAAGAGUGUCUCAUCUU AAGAUGAGACACUCUUUCU 874-896 3642 3643AD-59111 CUCCAUGAUCCAAGGGAUU AAUCCCUUGGAUCAUGGAG 1357-1379 3644 3645AD-59112 CCAUUCUUAUCCCGAGUCA UGACUCGGGAUAAGAAUGG 362-384 3646 3647AD-59113 CACCCUGGCUAAGAUGAUA UAUCAUCUUAGCCAGGGUG 1300-1322 3648 3649AD-59114 UCAUCCCUGUGCGGGUUGA UCAACCCGCACAGGGAUGA 1923-1945 3650 3651AD-59115 AAGAGUGUCUCAUCUUCUU AAGAAGAUGAGACACUCUU 877-899 3652 3653AD-59116 GUCAUGCCAAAAAUGGACA UGUCCAUUUUUGGCAUGAC 1631-1653 3654 3655AD-59117 CAUUCUUAUCCCGAGUCCA UGGACUCGGGAUAAGAAUG 363-385 3656 3657AD-59118 ACCCUGGCUAAGAUGAUGA UCAUCAUCUUAGCCAGGGU 1301-1323 3658 3659AD-59119 CUCUUCACCCUGGCUAAGA UCUUAGCCAGGGUGAAGAG 1295-1317 3660 3661AD-59120 AUGCCAAAAAUGGACAUCA UGAUGUCCAUUUUUGGCAU 1634-1656 3662 3663AD-59121 UGCCCCAAGAUGAUGGAAU AUUCCAUCAUCUUGGGGCA 434-456 3664 3665AD-59122 GAACCAUGCCUCCAUGAUA UAUCAUGGAGGCAUGGUUC 1348-1370 3666 3667AD-59123 UCUUCACCCUGGCUAAGAU AUCUUAGCCAGGGUGAAGA 1296-1318 3668 3669AD-59124 UGCCAAAAAUGGACAUCAU AUGAUGUCCAUUUUUGGCA 1635-1657 3670 3671AD-59125 CCAGAAAGAGUGUCUCAUA UAUGAGACACUCUUUCUGG 872-894 3672 3673AD-59126 GAAACUGUCCAUUCAAUGA UCAUUGAAUGGACAGUUUC 1481-1503 3674 3675AD-59127 UCACCCUGGCUAAGAUGAU AUCAUCUUAGCCAGGGUGA 1299-1321 3676 3677AD-59128 CCCUGGAGUCUGUGCGGAU AUCCGCACAGACUCCAGGG 1791-1813 3678 3679AD-59129 GAAAGAGUGUCUCAUCUUA UAAGAUGAGACACUCUUUC 875-897 3680 3681AD-59130 UGGAGCCCUGGAGUCUGUA UACAGACUCCAGGGCUCCA 1786-1808

The results of the in vitro assays are provided in Table 16. Table 16also notes the target species of each of the siRNAs.

TABLE 16 Results of Functional Assays Cyno Hep3b Cyno Free UptakeTransfection Transfection Target 1 uM 20 nM 20 nM 0.2 nM 10 nM 0.1 nMDuplex ID Species Type Avg 500 nM Avg 10 nM Avg Avg Avg Avg AD-58848M/R/Rh/H 21/23 131.6 176.0 104.4 128.0 43.5 44.8 25.3 76.8 AD-58849 H/Rh21/23 91.9 88.1 92.2 105.0 29.4 35.4 11.5 47.1 AD-58850 H/Rh 21/23 79.4103.4 80.0 111.2 NA 62.2 31.3 72.0 AD-58851 H/Rh 21/23 99.7 74.7 94.8104.7 NA 40.7 8.6 81.3 AD-58852 H/Rh 21/23 108.1 91.8 103.3 111.9 101.1128.8 43.4 129.0 AD-58853 H/Rh 21/23 74.8 67.7 84.2 93.5 24.7 52.9 14.161.2 AD-58854 H/Rh 21/23 145.9 124.1 106.6 115.3 119.0 83.9 85.0 84.0AD-58855 H/Rh 21/23 81.5 97.9 92.7 101.8 39.5 40.3 15.3 67.6 AD-58856H/Rh 21/23 74.1 90.6 84.6 82.6 22.4 30.7 8.7 33.3 AD-58857 H/Rh 21/2364.7 91.4 62.3 87.1 22.0 31.6 9.8 106.3 AD-58858 H/Rh 21/23 67.4 91.768.6 98.3 27.9 40.3 17.4 44.8 AD-58859 H/Rh 21/23 71.2 77.2 92.4 90.119.1 34.3 13.1 39.7 AD-58861 H/Rh 21/23 104.6 107.2 102.0 100.6 25.935.1 18.0 69.8 AD-58862 H/Rh 21/23 66.8 77.0 68.7 88.5 20.3 31.1 24.249.9 AD-58863 H/Rh 21/23 70.8 66.8 76.8 98.5 21.5 29.7 8.7 54.9 AD-58864H/Rh 21/23 76.2 85.6 83.7 100.8 60.4 61.0 56.4 87.3 AD-58865 H/Rh 21/2367.9 77.9 95.9 98.4 21.3 38.6 15.5 81.4 AD-58867 H/Rh 21/23 95.9 93.3107.0 97.5 32.3 42.7 16.6 79.8 AD-58868 H/Rh 21/23 95.2 92.1 116.2 94.754.6 69.2 61.5 105.9 AD-58869 H/Rh 21/23 65.0 78.2 75.8 88.2 17.4 25.013.0 63.9 AD-58870 H/Rh 21/23 69.4 92.3 81.0 88.1 29.2 43.8 33.7 79.1AD-58871 H/Rh 21/23 61.2 77.3 88.2 77.0 71.2 73.2 36.7 110.3 AD-58873H/Rh 21/23 95.2 100.9 83.3 94.6 54.2 52.8 36.6 73.3 AD-58874 H/Rh 21/2375.8 76.8 63.8 85.3 22.3 31.2 15.0 38.2 AD-58875 H/Rh 21/23 80.7 88.778.6 97.9 48.6 73.6 61.2 90.6 AD-58876 H/Rh 21/23 90.8 93.1 82.5 100.241.1 56.9 21.2 58.7 AD-58877 H/Rh 21/23 68.3 85.1 51.2 78.7 18.5 46.611.9 27.4 AD-58878 H/Rh 21/23 78.3 68.3 81.2 91.2 24.1 23.4 6.2 37.1AD-58879 H/Rh 21/23 87.9 94.1 79.7 95.4 32.0 47.8 15.7 82.5 AD-58880H/Rh 21/23 74.9 72.2 88.9 88.1 20.1 27.5 14.0 60.7 AD-58881 H/Rh 21/2385.9 76.8 78.8 118.0 22.2 36.7 27.6 71.6 AD-58882 H/Rh 21/23 54.1 53.460.3 85.8 14.6 27.2 8.2 23.8 AD-58883 H/Rh 21/23 80.4 69.9 75.7 80.331.8 25.8 12.3 63.0 AD-58884 H/Rh 21/23 57.7 55.3 64.8 78.2 20.0 30.011.8 68.9 AD-58885 H/Rh 21/23 101.8 91.8 104.1 101.5 85.9 71.9 61.8 71.2AD-58886 M/R/Rh/H 21/23 47.1 58.0 36.3 93.3 16.0 26.6 9.2 32.0 AD-58887H/Rh 21/23 73.6 98.7 82.6 95.2 28.5 33.5 12.8 65.2 AD-58888 H/Rh 21/2390.2 69.9 69.4 85.6 46.9 45.0 16.6 72.0 AD-58889 H/Rh 21/23 83.6 98.682.4 92.2 36.5 40.3 31.6 99.4 AD-58890 H/Rh 21/23 69.5 95.4 84.2 88.250.8 45.6 21.7 92.9 AD-58891 H/Rh 21/23 62.8 75.7 75.4 109.2 23.6 34.315.6 55.8 AD-58892 H/Rh 21/23 60.2 92.9 89.8 92.9 22.8 43.3 20.2 75.6AD-59095 M/R/Rh/H 19mer 88.9 NA 132.8 NA 48.3 97.4 54.3 99.0 AD-59096M/R/Rh/H 19mer 95.5 NA 90.5 NA 105.7 138.6 131.4 120.7 AD-59097 M/R/Rh/H19mer 92.5 NA 84.2 NA 75.0 NA 94.7 108.5 AD-59098 M/R/Rh/H 19mer 84.0 NA87.7 NA 109.3 NA 130.0 87.3 AD-59099 M/R/Rh/H 19mer 89.7 NA 90.0 NA 77.885.4 46.8 74.9 AD-59100 M/R/Rh/H 19mer 84.8 NA 144.3 NA 70.6 108.1 91.5117.6 AD-59101 M/R/Rh/H 19mer 79.0 NA 103.8 NA 89.8 102.9 124.2 107.0AD-59102 M/R/Rh/H 19mer 85.9 NA 100.6 NA 72.2 68.5 87.9 95.1 AD-59103M/R/Rh/H 19mer 86.0 NA 91.1 NA 93.0 81.3 130.0 96.0 AD-59104 M/R/Rh/H19mer 92.6 NA 96.9 NA 94.9 91.4 124.4 83.1 AD-59105 M/R/Rh/H 19mer 48.9NA 101.7 NA 18.4 48.9 17.0 34.7 AD-59106 M/R/Rh/H 19mer 63.2 NA 76.7 NA28.5 40.7 28.6 46.4 AD-59107 M/R/Rh/H 19mer 71.4 NA 68.7 NA 37.1 45.326.8 63.6 AD-59108 M/R/Rh/H 19mer 70.7 NA 85.1 NA 89.9 84.8 139.2 101.7AD-59109 M/R/Rh/H 19mer 86.1 NA 83.4 NA 84.9 96.2 131.7 86.7 AD-59110M/R/Rh/H 19mer 70.8 NA 119.7 NA 38.5 60.4 67.4 80.3 AD-59111 M/R/Rh/H19mer 66.1 NA 76.5 NA 52.2 61.0 69.7 87.6 AD-59112 M/R/Rh/H 19mer 71.2NA 80.2 NA 91.2 83.4 127.4 89.0 AD-59113 M/R/Rh/H 19mer 67.0 NA 77.8 NA49.1 59.0 66.8 91.4 AD-59114 M/R/Rh/H 19mer 81.7 NA 79.3 NA 96.3 88.0129.6 72.4 AD-59115 M/R/Rh/H 19mer 40.4 NA 69.6 NA 19.6 35.7 9.3 16.9AD-59116 M/R/Rh/H 19mer 72.2 NA 78.3 NA 53.5 77.8 70.1 107.8 AD-59117M/R/Rh/H 19mer 70.7 NA 75.6 NA 75.8 74.9 129.0 103.5 AD-59118 M/R/Rh/H19mer 68.8 NA 75.9 NA 81.4 82.1 114.1 89.7 AD-59119 M/R/Rh/H 19mer 64.9NA 86.5 NA 85.1 125.1 122.8 124.8 AD-59120 M/R/Rh/H 19mer 63.5 NA 75.1NA 29.9 52.0 16.1 54.1 AD-59121 M/R/Rh/H 19mer 67.6 NA 72.0 NA 88.8 77.4108.0 103.1 AD-59122 M/R/Rh/H 19mer 60.2 NA 62.3 NA 25.1 45.3 16.2 54.8AD-59123 M/R/Rh/H 19mer 68.6 NA 108.2 NA 59.2 84.6 80.0 97.7 AD-59124M/R/Rh/H 19mer 47.5 NA 56.5 NA 23.9 40.0 9.8 18.9 AD-59125 M/R/Rh/H19mer 45.4 NA 47.2 NA 15.2 40.7 14.7 15.1 AD-59126 M/R/Rh/H 19mer 64.3NA 74.6 NA 51.6 57.1 35.5 54.4 AD-59127 M/R/Rh/H 19mer 103.4 NA 105.8 NA94.0 156.4 135.9 113.7 AD-59128 M/R/Rh/H 19mer 102.4 NA 81.4 NA 66.389.3 60.2 74.9 AD-59129 M/R/Rh/H 19mer 41.3 NA 38.8 NA 17.9 41.4 8.612.6 AD-59130 M/R/Rh/H 19mer 58.3 NA 80.8 NA 94.9 78.3 106.7 88.0

Table 17 illustrates the IC₅₀s of select ALAS1 siRNA duplexes. The IC₅₀swere determined from the knockdown of endogenously expressed ALAS1 inthe Hep3B cell line, at 24 hours following transfection of each ALAS1modified siRNA duplex (see Table 14). At least seven duplexes, includingAD-58882, AD-58878, AD-58886, AD-58877, AD-59115, AD-58856, andAD-59129, consistently demonstrated IC₅₀s of less than 0.1 nm,indicating that these duplexes were particularly effective insuppressing ALAS1 expression.

TABLE 17 IC₅₀s of select ALAS1 siRNA duplexes Duplex ID 384w IC50 (nM)96w IC50 (nM) AD-58882 0.008 0.014 AD-58878 0.040 0.031 AD-58886 0.0370.033 AD-58877 0.031 0.034 AD-59115 0.093 0.052 AD-58856 0.061 0.066AD-59129 0.085 0.071 AD-59124 0.572 0.078 AD-58874 0.140 0.102 AD-591250.118 0.115 AD-59105 0.511 0.144 AD-59120 180.592 0.498 AD-59122 36.6460.646 AD-59106 7.906 0.847 AD-59126 n/a 1.014 AD-59107 n/a 1.971

EQUIVALENTS

Those skilled in the art will recognize, or be able to ascertain usingno more than routine experimentation, many equivalents to the specificembodiments of the invention described herein. Such equivalents areintended to be encompassed by the following claims.

1. A double-stranded ribonucleic acid (dsRNA) for inhibiting expressionof ALAS1, comprising: (i) an antisense strand that comprises thesequence of SEQ ID NO: 1296; (ii) a sense strand comprising at least 15contiguous nucleotides from SEQ ID NO: 1295; and (iii) a duplex regionof 15-30 base pairs in length.
 2. (canceled)
 3. The dsRNA of claim 1,wherein said dsRNA comprises at least one modified nucleotide. 4.-8.(canceled)
 9. The dsRNA of claim 1, wherein each of the sense strand andthe antisense strand is 19-24 nucleotides in length.
 10. The dsRNA ofclaim 1, wherein at least one strand comprises a 3′ overhang of at least1 nucleotide.
 11. The dsRNA of claim 10, wherein the 3′ overhang is 2nucleotides in length.
 12. The dsRNA of claim 1 further comprising aligand.
 13. The dsRNA of claim 12, wherein said ligand is a GalNAcligand. 14.-17. (canceled)
 18. A cell comprising the dsRNA of claim 1.19. A pharmaceutical composition for inhibiting expression of an ALAS1gene, the composition comprising the dsRNA of claim
 1. 20.-31.(canceled)
 32. A method of inhibiting ALAS1 expression in a cell, themethod comprising: (a) introducing into the cell the dsRNA of claim 1,and (b) maintaining the cell of step (a) for a time sufficient to obtaindegradation of the mRNA transcript of an ALAS1 gene, thereby inhibitingexpression of the ALAS1 gene in the cell. 33.-41. (canceled)
 42. Amethod of treating a disorder related to ALAS1 expression comprisingadministering to a subject in need of such treatment a therapeuticallyeffective amount of the dsRNA of claim
 1. 43. (canceled)
 44. The methodof claim 42, wherein the subject is at risk for developing, or isdiagnosed with, a porphyria.
 45. (canceled)
 46. The method of claim 42,wherein the dsRNA is administered before, during, or after an acuteattack of porphyria. 47.-54. (canceled)
 55. The method of claim 42,wherein the method decreases a level of a porphyrin or a porphyrinprecursor in the subject. 56.-58. (canceled)
 59. A method for decreasinga level of a porphyrin or a porphyrin precursor in a cell, comprisingcontacting the cell with the dsRNA of claim 1, in an amount effective todecrease the level of the porphyrin or the porphyrin precursor in thecell. 60.-61. (canceled)
 62. A vector encoding at least one strand of adsRNA of claim
 1. 63.-65. (canceled)
 66. A cell comprising the vector ofclaim
 62. 67.-72. (canceled)
 73. The method of claim 42, wherein saidmethod (i) ameliorates a symptom associated with an ALAS1 relateddisorder (e.g., a porphyria) (ii) inhibits ALAS1 expression in thesubject, (iii) decreases a level of a porphyrin precursor or a porphyrinin the subject, (iv) decreases frequency of acute attacks of symptomsassociated with a porphyria in the subject, or (v) decreases incidenceof acute attacks of symptoms associated with a porphyria in the subjectwhen the subject is exposed to a precipitating factor. 74.-78.(canceled)
 79. The dsRNA of claim 13, wherein the GalNAc ligand isattached to the 3′ end of the sense strand. 80.-89. (canceled)
 90. ThedsRNA of claim 2, wherein the at least one modified nucleotide is chosenfrom a 2′-O-methyl modified nucleotide, 2′-fluoro modified nucleotide,or both.
 91. (canceled)
 92. The dsRNA of claim 79, wherein the GalNAcligand is attached to the 3′ end of the sense strand via a linker. 93.(canceled)
 94. The dsRNA of claim 13, wherein the GalNAc ligand is


95. The dsRNA of claim wherein the ligand and linker has the structureof:

96.-111. (canceled)
 112. The method of claim 42, wherein the porphyriais a hepatic porphyria selected from acute intermittent porphyria (AIP)hereditary coproporphyria (HCP), variegate porphyria (VP), ALAdeyhdratase deficiency porphyria (ADP), and hepatoerythropoieticporphyria. 113.-117. (canceled)
 118. The method of claim 42, wherein thedsRNA is administered during a prodrome. 119.-123. (canceled)
 124. Themethod of claim 42, wherein the subject has an elevated level of ALA,PBG, or both ALA and PBG. 125.-150. (canceled)
 151. A method of treatinga subject with an elevated level of ALA, PBG, or both ALA and PBG, themethod comprising administering to the subject the dsRNA of claim 1.152.-154. (canceled)
 155. The dsRNA of claim 11, wherein one end of thedsRNA is blunt-ended.
 156. The dsRNA of claim 155, wherein the dsRNAcomprises one or more phosphorothioate linkages.
 157. The dsRNA of claim1, which comprises 20 or more modified nucleotides chosen from2′-O-methyl modified nucleotides and 2′-fluro modified nucleotides. 158.The dsRNA of claim 157, comprising 2′-O-methyl modified nucleotides and2′-fluro modified nucleotides over the entire length of the sense andantisense strands.
 159. A double-stranded ribonucleic acid (dsRNA) forinhibiting expression of ALAS1, comprising: (i) an antisense strand thatcomprises the sequence of SEQ ID NO: 1296; (ii) a sense strandcomprising at least 15 contiguous nucleotides from SEQ ID NO: 1295;(iii) a duplex region of 15-30 base pairs in length; (iv) one strandcomprising a 3′ overhang of at least 1 nucleotide; (v) one end that isblunt-ended; and (vi) at least one modified nucleotide chosen from a2′-O-methyl modified nucleotide, 2′-fluoro modified nucleotide, or both.